It’s been a minute, and I’m still adjusting to this new schedule; less hustle and bustle, more settling in. That being said I want to create new habits along the way of this journey, so as to help myself grow in consistency and discipline. And what better way to do so than to stick to this blog schedule? So, without further ado here is what the Lord has put on my heart:
Dying to self takes many forms; and it can be daunting when you think about all the things you seemingly deprive yourself of to please the Lord. Yet the Lord reminded me of how this walk isn’t meant to be “easy” or “seamless”. There are bumps in the road, and we’re not robots so emotions are meant to come and go, to flare up and die down. It’s what we do in response to these emotions and feelings that truly matter. Take for example that internal sentiment a lot of us get, that “I don’t feel like it” feeling. It can be a real hinderance to a lot of what we need to do and lead us toward the things we want to do but aren’t really the best idea in the long run.
For example, me personally? I don’t always feel like listening to praise and worship, and often times I have to be convicted and reminded to practice what I preach. Instead of listening to something “up-beat” or putting on some Christian hip-hop or rock, I’ll sometimes force myself to put on some gospel, something that sets the atmosphere in a different manner. Another example is when I read my Word, which is something I can get lax in at times. Often at the end of my day, I want to do what I want to do, which is eat, sleep, or play a game. Yet what helps me to do what I need to do instead of what I want to do is remembering that 1.) This is part of dying to self, 2.) I can’t expect to hear God or have intimacy with Christ if I don’t spend time with Him and 3.) in actuality the root of what I want to do stems from a desire to decompress, and what better way to decompress than in the presence of God?
You see, when we die to self consistently enough, it becomes our new normal. Eventually, as I’m starting to do now, Holy Spirit won’t be the one to remind us that “it’s not about what we want to do, it’s about what we need to do” as we’ll consciously do it ourselves. Remembering that life isn’t always about what’s pleasant or pleasurable but about doing what we need to do to not only help ourselves but those around us is key. Too often we get caught up in our own feelings that we forget that our larger purpose is tied to leading others to Christ, be it through our lifestyle choices, witnessing and sharing our testimony, our ministry, or however the Lord wants to use us. Yet we can’t play our part if we’re hindered with (ultimately) selfish and self-centered desires. Now I’m not saying we can’t indulge a little in the pure desires and wants that spring up; but the main thing is to not make it a lifestyle or idol. If we can’t go without doing or engaging in a certain thing/activity for a day or two then that’s a good indication we may need to re-evaluate the things we’re into. If I’m scrolling on Tik-Tok or IG reels in my spare time more than I’m reading my Word or praying, that’s a problem. A causal scroll every now and then is fine. All things in moderation. Our priority has to be God first. Matthew 6:33 (ESV) tells us “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.
Reading the full chapter, we can glean that God knows our wants, our needs, and our desires. Yet the Word is telling us that if we keep our attention, our focus, and our mind on the Lord, all our needs will be met. It may not always be in the way you want, but I can assure you it’ll be what you need, and that’s always the greater thing. The Lord is our greatest necessity, and He gave of Himself freely already. His hand is outstretched, but it’s up to us to take it, and connect with Him.
I pray this blessed you as it did me; may the Lord keep you and your household. Until next time!
–JB
Rnt with JB 