Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I hate exercise. More than anything else. Give me the choice to scrub my house (and yours too) top to bottom with pure bleach or to run 1 mile. I would pick the bleach. Every single day. In fact my favorite thing to do is curl up on the couch with a new book and not move all day. God has blessed me with many such days this past year. I have been given the time to adjust to a new lifestyle (while free of stress) and to a new home. We have made it to just over a year of living together (YAY)! And God blessed us with the financial security and the lessons to manage our money wisely this past year so that I have not had to work. Being able to focus on our marriage and on being a good little housewife has been everything I wanted. But God works in ways that we do not expect. He gave me my time off..and then he reminded me that I am not on the earth to have a clean house or to read a good book.
In church a little over a month ago I was challenged by the sermon that spoke of our temporary home and our tents that we live in. 2 Corinthians 5:1 "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." Pastor Chris talked about how silly it would be for us to hold onto those tents when we have a home to get to. And more so he challenged me with the fact that once you are set to get to heaven (through salvation) that is not the end. The idea is to not end up there alone. What was I doing with my life? Who was I reaching everyday? Who's life was being touched by Christ because I talked to them? I was sadly hit by the idea that I went days with seeing no one but my husband. With reaching no one. With the fact that I didn't want to face God some day and tell him that I didn't reach anyone for him, but I had a clean house and had read a good book!
I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer in my church on Monday mornings cleaning in the kitchen after the weekend services. It takes 2 and 1/2 hours a week and it helped me feel like I was serving and helping. I then was presented with the idea to lead my growth group (bible study) this year. Thursday nights plus a few extra hours for prep. I can add that. They needed helpers with the 2 year olds on Sunday mornings. I love kids, ok I will do it. It wasn't enough for me though. I needed something to do! Someway to meet people to serve them, to make there lives easier. And hey why not make it a job? So I joined the Pampered Chef as a Independent Consultant. I can meet people, get out of the house, and out of the church. And if anyone asks I can tell them about my Jesus.
There I fixed it! I am busy, serving "behind the scenes" in the church. I have a new job (that I LOVE) and I am helping my family by bringing in money (added bonus!) as well as having time and place to impact people for Jesus. All better right? I even challenged myself to buy and read a new devotional every day. All AMAZING things. Yay Jesus I did it! I am not sitting on my couch anymore. I could end the story here. Having told you all how awesome I am, how I pay attention during the sermons and apply them to my life. But it took less than 3 weeks into all of this to remember something I was taught.
Being busy doesn't mean I am being faithful. Being in the scripture doesn't mean that I am letting the word attach and take root in my life. Having opportunities but not telling anyone about Christ doesn't make me a missionary. My motives were in the right place. Everything looks like it is working out great. But I wasn't serving out of unconditional undeniable devotion that is given in return for the incomprehensible love of Christ. I was doing it because "it’s the right thing to do."
I hate exercise. Physically working out that is. But I have learned there is another brand of exercise that I can be taught. And that is the exercise of obedience. The definition of obedience is to submit to someone's rules or authority. But I think that it is more that that. I think that if I obeyed someone with my outer actions but I didn't follow through with my heart something would be lacking. Because that is simply obeying a Lord. Not worshiping a savor. And in order to follow Christ you can not have one without the other. I need to serve, but not because I have to or a should. I need to do it because I can not imagine my life without knowing about his love. And I don't want you to live yours without it either. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
My calendar is filling up quickly. My days are busy and my stress level is significantly higher than it was. But guess what? MY JESUS LOVES YOU! And I am not going to wait another minute to tell you that. Because he died for you. He provided a temporary home for you in this body, but he built a whole kingdom for you and it is waiting, along with his love.
I don't want to stay in this body. You have to physically work out in the body. But with my Jesus, oh with my Jesus, life is so sweet, so beautiful, so….what are you waiting for? Are you serving with your heart in the right place? Or can I sit down with you and tell you about my Jesus. I promise I will make time in my calendar for you. As soon as possible. How does tonight sound?
