So yesterday, I was sitting in the Talbot lounge doing my homework. Some guy was sitting across from me was talking to another student. I was listening, and he saw that I overheard his conversation. He was saying such things as "People in our church do not think any more," "I am accepted by the community because they see my degrees and I am not just some radical fundamentalist." Obviously, he was an evidentialit. He asked me what are the fundamental principles of life you cannot deny? The first things that popped into my head is God and the Scriptures. He responded, "it's funny how calvinists read their own and how everyone doesn't seek for truth by going to people who only support their views." Little did I know, this was a Undergrad philosophy professor! This professor said that the most fundamental truth is the law of non-contradiction. I asked him, what is the law of non contradiction if there is no God? He started going off in words I did not understand. I felt as if he has a type of Elitism because of his philosophy. What I learned was that I do not want to be that way, to "demolish" people in a position of arrogance. Human wisdom is at the end of the day finite and foolish. Its dangerous to see that your human reasoning dominates your submission to God. If reasoning exalts itself, it can be a idol. A good thing such as even the law of non-contradiction can be an idol. I need to learn humility from this experience.
I need to learn how to rest in the Lord. Ministry can be so demanding and challenging sometimes. Service can be duty rather than delight. Worship becomes religion rather than heart felt gratitude to the God of the universe. Jesus would always spend time with His Father, to maintain that intimacy within Him. How I need to learn to rest and be like Mary who sat at the Lord's feet just listening and delighting in His majesty. I have forgotten how to just marvel at God. I should be thankful for all the gifts he has bestowed upon me, yet I am ungrateful and cold. Please forgive me for my coldness Lord. I need to see the great things you have done for me again, that I might serve you out of gratitude and delight rather than hypocrisy and duty. Fill me again with you Holy Spirit Lord, please help me overcome my sin. Not by my works, or exertion of will, but teach me to fight by HEARING OF FAITH in the one who loved me and gave himself for me. Bring me back to the cross Lord. This message should never get dull. Help me see the reality of it and what you have accomplished. Bless our gathering tomorrow as we hear your word. Help us hear with faith.
Renew me...
Confess my coldness to God
Ask for forgiveness with a contrite heart
Repent
Pray over text
Spend a day with God
Rejoice over the truth I am learning
Let God be my teacher
Ask God questions
Rejoice over his truth
Cling to the cross
I am close to God not because of my feelings, but because of Christ's death
The TV show "Kobe Doing Work" inspires thousands of people. What makes these superstars admirable? Their commitment, discipline, hard work, sacrifice, leadership, will, heart, passion. If these superstars do this for worldly pursuits that fade away, how much more should I discipline myself for the kingdom of God that is eternal. We see all these characteristics in our Lord: Leadership by service, hard work, discipline, sacrifice...even to a cross, will, heart.
May I put all my heart and mind and soul into the kingdom, for the purpose of Godliness. Whether theologians, musicians, philosophers, teachers; those who have been set apart from everyone else are those who committed and disciplined themselves to achieve their goal. How much more for the kingdom? How much more for eternal things that last? How can I meet these ends?
This is a rebuke to me. I have been so busy serving the Lord, that I forget why I am doing the things I do. Even good things, things of the LORD, can be a distraction. I study the Word of God all day, yet why do I feel so far and heartless towards God? I think I have been caught in the "pharisee" trap, doing the "religious" thing without no heart. Its so easy to get caught up in the routine of things, its my job to remind me that I should continually seek the Lord. Please open my eyes again to see your beauty. When I see your beauty Lord, sin shall lose its attractiveness on me. When I see your beauty, obedience will be natural. Help me this night, renew my spirits, for your mercy, you look inside my heart and its deceitful, for your grace, help me Lord Jesus. Shine your light. In your name, Amen.
