Back to basics

Dear friends,

I've been thinking about all the creature comforts we have and commonly enjoy. But how many of these things* are beneficial to our souls? What is it like to do without?
[*Please note: I use the term "things" broadly. Things = material items, people, activities, thoughts, behaviors, etc.]

Among other books, I'm reading "The Soloist". It's a story about a homeless man in downtown LA that struggles with schizo, but still retains some tremendous musical talent, as he once received Juilliard training. Theatres release a movie version with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. this Friday.

I'm gaining some interesting new insight into Nathaniel's world these days...

-How many of you could live without email and cell phone for more than a few hours? a day? a week? a month?
-What about fundamental, basic physical needs? water, food, shelter?

And yet, for many of us, this is all something we take as a given.

After all, we live in an age where "immediate gratification" and "entitlement" are our middle names. There's no concept of patience...of discernment...of contentment...of poverty (both actual and theoretical "want")...you just do it, get it, achieve it, without hesitation or second thought to the consequences or what God thinks about it...right?

And life more and more, seems like it follows the details, that God wants to be involved in every decision, in the small things too...that we must be faithful in little to be faithful in the big things. (Tithing, serving, surrendering, loving...these are all good examples).

So waiting on the Lord for real provision and guidance is something so far removed from us, that we hardly think about it. We're so blessed...we don't even know it...and we grow complacent, and we forget to give thanks.

And when I look at my life, and the more I focus on what I want and don't have, the worse I feel. The more I stop and reflect, read Scripture, and take time to thank God for what I do have, the better I feel. Isn't that the Truth?

So I wonder how this attitude transfers into other areas of our lives. How often we make simple choices everyday - what to wear, what to eat, who to hang out with...you know, taking care of business, but then neglect the ALL IMPORTANT and CRITICAL "spiritual" component by CHOOSING NOT to work on those areas.

-What happened to daily devotions, to fill your heart with God's commandments so that we may not sin against Him?
-What happened to the practice of prayer?
-What happened to sharing your faith regularly?
-What happened to giving to those in need?

And that's the human condition, the more comfortable we are, the more we take things for granted. Why do we have to wait until hurt and pain enter our lives before we can go to God for answers?

And when those things we took for granted are gone, do we miss them? And more importantly, if so, why?

I pray that you'll make time to take an inventory of your life - just take a few minutes to list your TOP 5 things you can't live without, and ask yourself why you give them such high priority...do they honor God? Do they bring Him more glory? Do they bring you closer to Jesus?

Apply wisdom and discretion...and perhaps change is necessary. Are there things that God has called you to surrender and give up?

The habits we create and keep may be detrimental when left unchecked. Sin is subtle and deceiving and ALWAYS leaves us worse off. The "patterns" we see in our lives and that of others reveal true character and motives.

There's a Liberty Mutual commercial that says:
"Doing the right thing says a lot about a person. And a company."

I like that. We need more of those.

"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart..." - Psalm 15:1-2

Some things are here today, gone tomorrow. Life is short. What have you decided to do with your life? Just going through the motions? Or are you being deliberate about following God?

I'll be totally honest: I'm sick and tired of this idea of "cheap" grace and those who take God's gift/Christ's sacrifice for granted, insisting on living life as they please rather than as an offering that pleases God. That's so offensive.

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." - Gal. 6:7

I know I'm doing a regular check-up in my life, weeding out the poison (even if familiar and comforting) and clinging onto only the "needs" that are good, pure, true, and right.

If we could go back to a simpler world, a simpler life, where there were less distractions, where we could focus more on what really matters, where we could better identify and cast aside sin that so easily entangles...and then look to God for our daily bread, passionately pursuing and desiring Him. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

If we would just yield to God, trust Him completely for His best, and do what is right, I really do believe the world would be a better place.

Back to the "Soloist" illustration:
Some people are selfish, can't see past their own needs, take and take and take, without giving back, unable to empathize and help others. But I'm also glad that there are others like Steve Lopez who can step into a stranger's world, befriend him even when there is high personal cost.

And isn't that just a sampling of what we should be about? Humbling ourselves, submitting to God's will, showing a lost world that there's hope in Christ, that we cannot make it no matter how hard we try on our own, being thankful in all things, and learning to trust Jesus for all of our needs.

May God bless you and lead you as you seek to do what is right, to help change your little corner of the world, as He uses you to leave a kingdom impact.

Grace and peace to you.