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| Photo credit: trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk |
I told my husband the other day that I am feeling pretty soft these days.
Now, I wasn't necessarily talking about my mid-section (sadly, the adjective soft would actually apply, as I have been neglecting any semblance of core exercising recently).
No. I was talking about my faith.
My life is in a pretty good place, by all outward appearances, right now. My family and I are healthy. We have enjoyed recent camping trips and outings to the county fair. We are doing well in homeschool and branching out into two new ministries this fall.
And while every day (especially raising children!!) requires a measure of faith in Jesus and perseverance, I just feel like the loves of my heart are getting out of order.
Let me put it to you this way...
I long for snuggle time, reading a book together with the kids, more than I desire to curl up with Jesus and mine His Word and pray.
I am finding that my spending money is constantly tapped out, being spent on craft supplies, books, and clothes for myself.
I wake up, more excited to see the number on the scale as I track my weight loss efforts, than I do to meet my husband in the living room to pray before he heads out for work.
It just seems the wants and luxuries of this world have crept into my heart, and are directing my mind and my checkbook lately.
Ugh.
God's Word speaks to this condition because, as we can all relate to at one time or another, it truly is not uncommon for us believers to get our priorities all out of wack.
In the Parable of the Sower, we see God warn us of the "weeds" of wealth and worldly cares that choke out the seed of God's word in our hearts:
"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Matthew 13:22
He also speaks about this at the end times, when he is chastising the church in Ephesus for forgetting their true love. Their's was a church of sound theology, diligent work, and committed service, but no lasting true love-relationship with the Lord.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." Revelation 2:2-5 (emphasis mine)
But, fortunately, there is hope!
God speaks to the prescription for this in his passage in Revelation:
When we confess our sinful heart and its waywardness and run to the Lord for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive us and restore us.
That is my prayer today.
How about you, dear friend? When you consider how you've spent your money, time, and thoughts this past week or month, have they been Christ-centered and Kingdom focused, or do they speak more to the Kingdom of Self? Will you join me as we bend our knees to the One who deserves all of our praise, and all of our heart? Oh, I do hope you do! And may we relish in our first true love as we start out our week today.
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