Psalms 86:11-12
"Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever."
Besides being the ultimate hand-burner and team-builder, the game of tug-of-war is a perfect example of what happens when two opposite forces combat each other and pull in different directions. The amount of energy exhorted by each team is massive in order to overcome the others, and the flag in the middle seems to advance in no specific direction as it moves a few inches to the left before being pulled a foot to the right.
Similarly, a divided heart could potentially be as tiring and frustrating as the famous field-day competition: exorbitant amounts of energy and effort may be poured into your walk with God, but with division comes immediate competition, and your progress will lack respectively, going from side-to-side like the flag in the game. Eventually, one side is going to win, leaving you exhausted and hopeless as you give in to the fight.
Just yesterday, I was reminded of how many things distract me. Facebook, TV, and texting, specifically have been vying for my attention. I find that I enjoy such things when I partake in them, but feel empty minutes after I'm done.
John 6:35 says, “Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus claims that we won't want more and that we'll be satisfied once we partake on "his team." It's with this understanding of God's completeness for us that Psalms 86 is able to be fulfilled in our lives. Once our perspective changes in that we realize how much God is all we need, that God will give us an undivided heart, one particularly that doesn't wage war against itself. With one focus, one desire, one passion, one love, progress in worship can therefore be made.
It's about time for the rope to drop and the whistle to blow.
God, I'm done fighting. Help me to overcome this division in my life and open my eyes to your provision in my life. You are all I need to be satisfied. Thank you for revealing that truth; by your grace, bless me with an undivided heart, that you might be served wholeheartedly in everything I do. Let's move on together oh God, that your Kingdom would advance and that your Name would be known in my life and in those around me.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
*If you would like encouragement on this topic, check out the song, "Cry In My Heart" by Starfield
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
All Too Familiar
"SSSSSSShhhhhhwwwoosh!"
This morning, I was awakened by the sound of the street cleaner, its brushes making a continuous sound against the pavement and water residue from the rain before. If I hadn't known any better, I would have imagined it to be the end of the world as a giant monster's breath was getting closer to my house with every second that passed by. But no, it was simply the street cleaner, and my childlike fantasies were corrected by my understanding of it's actual form.
However, this wake-up call triggered something else in my mind as I turned and readjusted myself in bed. I was brought back to the first time I had heard the street cleaner, or any strange noise for that matter, and was reminded of the immediate fear that rushed in my bones to the unfamiliar sounds. Being younger in age, I had not yet experienced the object, and therefore, the insecurity would cause anxiety to bubble up from within. Yet now, because of my constant interaction with such things, the flame of fear has dwindled to a flicker, if anything, as everything has become so familiar.
Almost too familiar.
In John 8, Jesus talks about two types of "families" when talking about children: children of God and children of the Devil. Now, evidently, Romans 8:12-16 makes it clear that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and believe that He is the Son of God, then we too take on that same persona; Jesus took our place, and now we are able to take His. Therefore, we are children of God, receiving full the inheritance and the blessings that comes from that (1 Peter 1:3-5). Certainly, we've heard this before, right?
If this is to be true (which it is, solely based on the fact that God's Word is true and everlasting, see Psalms 33:4), then where is our home? From this standpoint, if we are in God's family, our home would be found with Him, making us "visitors" or "aliens" to the earth. However, my experience this morning led me to realize a certain conviction that I've been ignorant too: I may be a child of God, but my lifestyle is one infatuated with a strange land. It suddenly became apparent to me how little I know of my heavenly home and how much I find comfort in this temporary dwelling of earth. With that understanding, I've come to realize the urgency I suddenly have to better understand my real home, in order that I might not walk in hypocrisy any longer.
This morning, I was awakened by the sound of the street cleaner, its brushes making a continuous sound against the pavement and water residue from the rain before. If I hadn't known any better, I would have imagined it to be the end of the world as a giant monster's breath was getting closer to my house with every second that passed by. But no, it was simply the street cleaner, and my childlike fantasies were corrected by my understanding of it's actual form.
However, this wake-up call triggered something else in my mind as I turned and readjusted myself in bed. I was brought back to the first time I had heard the street cleaner, or any strange noise for that matter, and was reminded of the immediate fear that rushed in my bones to the unfamiliar sounds. Being younger in age, I had not yet experienced the object, and therefore, the insecurity would cause anxiety to bubble up from within. Yet now, because of my constant interaction with such things, the flame of fear has dwindled to a flicker, if anything, as everything has become so familiar.
Almost too familiar.
In John 8, Jesus talks about two types of "families" when talking about children: children of God and children of the Devil. Now, evidently, Romans 8:12-16 makes it clear that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and believe that He is the Son of God, then we too take on that same persona; Jesus took our place, and now we are able to take His. Therefore, we are children of God, receiving full the inheritance and the blessings that comes from that (1 Peter 1:3-5). Certainly, we've heard this before, right?
If this is to be true (which it is, solely based on the fact that God's Word is true and everlasting, see Psalms 33:4), then where is our home? From this standpoint, if we are in God's family, our home would be found with Him, making us "visitors" or "aliens" to the earth. However, my experience this morning led me to realize a certain conviction that I've been ignorant too: I may be a child of God, but my lifestyle is one infatuated with a strange land. It suddenly became apparent to me how little I know of my heavenly home and how much I find comfort in this temporary dwelling of earth. With that understanding, I've come to realize the urgency I suddenly have to better understand my real home, in order that I might not walk in hypocrisy any longer.
- First, I must get to know my Father. Spending time in prayer and His Word allows me to understand his perspective, and character, along with strengthening my relationship with him.
- Second, I must "die" to myself. This may sound tragic, but it's actually a beautiful image. Jesus knows we can't live a "double-life," so he urges us to give up the dust in Mark 8:34, in order that we might grab hold of the gold he has in store for us. To grasp onto one thing, we must let go of another.
- Third, I must allow for a mind transformation. Romans 12:1-2 says it all: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
God, help me not to conform, but be transformed, that your daughter would be true to her father, and become oh-so-familiar with her true family line. Thank you, Lord.
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