08/25/2018
Are you being a disappointment in your faith, and a worry to God? This is one of those questions we should ask ourselves from time to time. Ephesians 4:17-32 contains guidance for us pertaining to the new life we are living in Jesus Christ. Our question then becomes, are we living it fully as the Holy Spirit reveals and teaches us, or are we causing our God to worry over us?
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:30 ESV
Have you ever suddenly awakened to your faith, as if you have been asleep? I am talking about an experience similar to driving a road, say to work in the morning, that you have travelled many many times, and then one morning you begin your journey and suddenly realize you are at your destination... but can’t remember how you got there? It is unsettling, and typically the first things we ask ourselves are “did I break any laws? Did I run any traffic lights?”
We do this occasionally in our faith as well; we are traveling our daily road of prayers, obedience, and other activities that are so familiar to us that we don’t have to concentrate on them... they have become routine in our lives. Then one day, in a flash, we awaken and become conscious of where we are. We become frightened, and worry that somewhere along the way sin might have crept into our thoughts or actions... we begin to search what little we can remember of that time, and finally ask forgiveness for the sins we might have committed unknowingly. Does this sound familiar?
We are meant to be conscious, not just in our everyday lives, but in our faith. When we find ourselves totally comfortable in either of these we have stopped moving forward. How can we possibly arrive at our ultimate destination if we are satisfied with where we are right now? Listen to what Jesus had to say...
“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."”
Luke 9:57-58 ESV
So we ask ourselves the question “am I being a disappointment, or a worry to God?” Are we grieving him like a child who lallygags along behind his parent, and must constantly be called to come along? Jesus was always conscious of His faith, He was in constant motion, constant prayer, taught every day, performed one miracle after another, and was traveling in the will of God with every breath He took. We need to remind ourselves to pursue this consciousness in our lives of faith.
I was on an interstate highway going to visit my mother and father; it was a beautiful day and the traffic was light. I was day dreaming as I drove, and my mind was wandering from one thought to another. All of a sudden I looked around and realized that I didn’t recognize any of the scenery surrounding me! I panicked... where was I? Had I passed the place where I was supposed to get off the interstate? Had I taken a wrong turn? So I started praying as I looked desperately for something that looked familiar. Then, after what seemed to be eternity, and in a moment of great relief, I saw a landmark and knew where I was... I was safe and still on the road towards home. We do this in faith as well... we coast along in life not paying much attention to our faith when all of a sudden something happens that brings us back to reality and we are afraid! Have we lost our way? Fortunately, God shows us our landmarks, but in truth, we are meant to remain conscious. Did we grieve him as we day dreamed our way along? So we begin to pray forgiveness, and He hears us.
We are meant to be conscious, and yes... we are meant to be uncomfortable as well. A tinge of discomfort keeps our minds, and our spirits fully engaged in the task at hand. It is hard to fall asleep at the wheel when you are uncomfortable. I liked a C.S. Lewis quote I read...
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” - C.S. Lewis
Twinges and sometimes gashes of discomfort keep us on the road to righteousness, and asking ourselves where we are, and if we are grieving God, allows us to keep our eyes on the destination. How are we traveling today?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the road of faith that I am traveling, and for your Son Jesus Christ, and your Holy Spirit, who accompany me. Help me to remain conscious of my journey and doing all those things along the way that you would have me do. Keep me within your will. Help me in these things Lord so that I will not grieve you with my lack of attention, or by taking you for granted. If however, I should sink into myself and begin to dream as I walk; if I should either wake to find that I have arrived somewhere mysteriously, realizing that I am lost... then I pray that you will forgive me, and bring me back to where you would have me be. If perchance my mind wanders then please awaken me Holy Father with a twinge of discomfort; nudge me or shake me until I wake, and then hear my prayer as I seek your forgiveness. Guide my Holy Spirit so that I will never disappoint or be worrisome to my Heavenly Father. Remind me each day to ask myself where I am going in faith, and to consciously ask my Merciful Father to plot my course by His will for me. In this, my faith, may I be diligent, and cognizant always of my Father’s desire for my living attention. Great is He who guides me, and Holy, Holy, Holy, is He who brings me Holy discomfort that I might remain aware of Him always. Praise be to the Lord, and all Glory to Him now and forevermore!
“Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.”
Psalms 123:2 ESV
Rich Forbes