Realigned AFFECTIONS
I’ve got to say that these past few days have been interesting in my personal walk with Christ and in my professional journey (i.e. Ministry in the local church). I say that to be honest, not to be negative or hyper-enthusiastic. It has just been ‘different’ listening to the Spirit of God; seeing what areas of my life and this ministry that need to be “REVIVED” (yes I said the “R” word); and processing what God is showing me.
I don’t really have anything to teach or something exciting to REVEAL in this post, I just wanted to write from an honest perspective, hoping maybe someone out there is sensing something different in your “Inner Being.” God is in everything — from the big stuff in our lives to the daily rituals of life. He has to be concerned over the way we show great passion for things that are temporary and how we manage a slight glance towards things that are eternal.
Our AFFECTIONS are a BIG DEAL to God! If we don’t think that is true look at the 10 Commandments. The first 4 scream out God’s thoughts about where and who we give our AFFECTIONS to. People who are passionate about Stock Car Racing will pay exorbitant amounts of money for tickets, stand in long lines to buy food, sit out in the blazing hot sun, get covered with black tire dust, and then feel SAD when it is all over after several hours!! (Sorry about the illustration Stock Car fans. I am not anti-racing) Of course the same thing can be said about video games, other sports like football, golf, etc. and going to the lake, beach, mountains, camping, etc. etc. etc….
I am sorry for being “Preachy” today but I think God is just sick of the way we — His Followers — say with our lips that we love Him but then with our actions we show how much more we love other stuff! Not only does God notice this blatant displacement of our AFFECTIONS but the world notices too! With all these thoughts racing through my mind, I have to stop and ask myself — “Are my AFFECTIONS more passionate for God than anything else in my life?”
As you can see, I am on a journey that requires some self-evaluation. Even though I intentionally try to avoid it, I still find myself being so immersed in trying to WORK for God that I fail to STOP and REST in God! Psalm 46:10 just came to mind: “Be still and know that I am God!” One translation of the Bible says: “Quit striving and know that I am God.” This helps remind me that I can do nothing without God but it also reminds me that I CAN DO ALL THINGS WITH GOD! (cf. Philippians 4:13)
Just one quick Exhortation for the Christ-Follower: Don’t wait for the tragedy to spend some time talking with God. No, I mean spend some serious, uninterrupted time with God. Time when you carve out a block in your over-busy schedule and say to God, “I just want to spend time with you!!!” Trust me, you will be glad you did. In our Home Groups last week I made a commitment to God to spend at least 30 minutes a day in uninterrupted prayer. It has been a wonderful time. I SEE now why God is saying so much to me right now. I have put myself in the WAY where He can speak! Go ahead, DO IT! Then, share what God does in your life.
I was sharing the other night about the Journey. I was asked why it is such a spiritual time. My answer was it is a time when students along with adults get away from the pressures of everyday life and focus more on God. When the focus is on God, it is amazing what happens.