I tried so hard...

So just over two years ago when I began attending my current church I would go in, mingle, worship, listen to the message, take notes, etc. Then I would leave and go about living just as the world lives. Then the conviction began, notice I said conviction and NOT condemnation.

At that point I began trying harder to stop doing the things that I knew were sinful behavior and and damaging myself and putting a wedge between myself and God. I kept failing so I tried harder! I might go a few days, then maybe weeks; but all in all I would still fail miserably. So I tried even HARDER! It was so frustrating. Whereas the distance between those times would increase it was so tiring to work so hard to "be good". Then one day...

Finally one day I surrendered. I gave over control. Not to say it was all instantaneous and I had no more failure, but it became less tiresome. I gave my heart to God. 

You see it is all an issue of the heart, nothing external. Some will disagree with me but is not about wearing slacks to church, or not wearing a hat in the presence of the Lord. Do not get me wrong we must show reverence to the Lord, but it is a condition of the heart. If you try to add anything or take anything away from the cross you corrupt the very essence of the gospel message.


If we give Him our heart then He will begin the work on our souls and our bodies. It will take time which is where God teaches us patience through waiting. "Waiting is an exercise of faith that demonstrates the condition of our hearts. Waiting on God is an act of faith."1 By resting in Him it becomes almost effortless. I would be lying if I said it is always easy and there is never any concern. We do after all live in a fallen world and we (even ourselves) are amongst nothing but sinners. However, if you never truly surrender your heart then you will never experience the joy and peace that I now do in life.

Care to join me?




Notes
1. Steve Farrar, God Built, (David Cook, 2008), 139
Additional Scripture References
Ephesians 2:8-9
2 Peter 1:3-11

Location: Diamond Hill - Jarvis, Fort Worth, TX, USA

Comments

Teena in Toronto said…
Thanks for asking but I'll pass.

Happy blogoversary :)
January 26, 2011 at 8:41 PM
ImNoBetterThanU said…
Thank you Teena, you always remember. :0)
January 26, 2011 at 10:44 PM
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