The ABCs
I know I haven’t blogged much lately. I have alot on my plate that I am working through. I have had to prioritize my intake and stay committed to those things that I have, well, already committed to.
I’m on the bus right now after work. On the way to the bus stop I found myself thinking about the gap that exists between what we say we believe and we do believe.
I think knowledge is an important aspect of the christian way, but there is a constant battle for our heart to be inline with our knowledge. When we stop fighting that battle we begin losing it.
For me when I walk away from that battle I eventually find myself broken down saying “How’d I get here? What’s the trick to get out of here??” I think I must be missing something, but the reality (as God innevitably reveals it to me) is that I have all the truth I need, but have simply been neglecting it. I am talking about basic things here: The gospel, Gods love for me, His soverignty, and so on.
This has been my experience at least. When I stop meditating, wrestling with, fighting to believe on the simple truths of the faith I wonder away and after a time it’s those simple truths that the Spirit uses to restore me.
Even the methods are simple: Pray, read your bible, walk in the light. God hasn’t made this walk difficult. We make it difficult! I am just now remembering a chat status message that a friend of mine often uses: “God loves you. Read your Bible.” I mean, part of me says “That’s silly” but another part of me says “Yep, that’s it.”
Anyways, there’s some random thoughts. Back to the fight I go!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Yes, it’s so simple and straightforward, but at the same time so easy to neglect. I tell myself that I’m too tired for prayer and quiet time today and that I’ll do it tomorrow. Before I know it, I’ve gone 2 weeks without any meaningful prayer or study, and I feel completely disconnected.
Good words of encouragment!
Xandra
February 18th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Very true. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget that God is exactly NOT complicated. Sometimes, that can even be the litmus test of whether or not I’m doing His will.
If it’s simple, but difficult and uncomfortable, yet shows compassion or love in some way and requires sacrifice…I’m fairly sure it’s the right thing.
If it’s easy or complicated and causes stress and chaos, chances are…it’s not from Him.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Another add on thought… I don’t want to confuse “simple” with “shallow”. The Gospel is simple and yet the depth of it and how it changes everything is beyond comprehension in this life. Yet just because it is beyond comprehension doesn’t mean we can not understand more of it and apply it more deeply.
Some of Tim Kellers resources explain some of this very well:
All of Life is Repentance (PDF)
Centrality of the Gospel (PDF)