Help Comes

My desires are quickly changing.

Not too long ago I had a good amount of trouble with watching my weight, and eating the right things in addition to working out (eating enough, but not too much). Perhaps a longer amount of time ago I was addicted to all sorts of media: Video Games, Music, Television, and yet...

I allowed these hindrances into my life. It was not as if they barged into my life...I accepted them and allowed them to grow in importance, and when they became so great they hindered the purposes God had for my life.

This is the reason why Philippians 4:8 says

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Understanding why I ever let them in my life is important.

It was not as if I had previously devised that I would fill my life with things that would hinder God's purpose for my life. If God had placed some sort of importance on my life I wanted to see it through.(Side note...God has a specific purpose for everyone's life: Jeremiah 1:5)

As a timid young boy, shy and lacking in confidence, I tried to remain neutral in all things, which as I have come to learn is impossible. My neutrality was code for comfortable. I told myself the lie that I was neutral...as well as a generally good person (I tried to help where I could, but nothing drastic)...I didn't hurt them, they didn't hurt me...and I was certainly alright with that.

However, the more I cushioned myself into life the less useful I became. I wish that I could go back and relive those first 10+ years of my life, because they simply weren't effective and I find myself now fighting against the person I was. This is because as I stated before...we are all impacting one another especially ourselves.

It is impossible for a person to remain neutral, and I'm truly surprised how long it took for me to grasp this.

Things that impact your life cannot have a neutral impact. An impact on your life can only be positive or negative. We're all constantly impacting the world around us, and we are creating a positive or negative impact even if we may not see how far our influence reaches.

Those that try not to bother other people are just creating a lesser impact. When we create a lesser impact in weight-lifting they call that weak(ness).

Going from one place to another trying your best not to influence another person or step on other people's proverbial toes is weak.

Obviously, there are always given situations where it is best to do nothing and to leave well enough alone, however there are infinitely more situations to do good as opposed to nothing.

Determining the best times to speak up and to shut up is probably the hardest part of this process of impacting one another positively (or negatively if you want to be a jerk).

Charging a heavily fortified Citadel on your own is probably not the best time to try to take it, but when there are hundreds or thousands attacking that location it is infinitely more effective.

But how can we stumble onto such coordination...especially in everyday situations where no person quite knows the whole story of everyone there.

The BEST way that I have learned to impact people for God (good...Love...righteousness ..etc.) is spending time in prayer with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me in all things throughout the day.

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." -Matthew 12:30

Prayer is where we gather to God..and engage in relationship with Him...I'm always re-energized after praying, because God gives me strength and guidance in my life showing me where I can best be used.

I'm not saying that He always leads me, I always hear Him or that I always listen, because it's hard to forsake yourself in order to submit to God, (especially when pushed to the breaking point) but earnestly want to do His will and Love Him.

Yet even when we fail His grace is sufficient for us. All He asks is for us to try to do His will to the best of our ability. When people don't try (at all)...they generally end up in bad situations (Because they're not in God's will, which God's will won't always be a cake walk...but it is good and just and righteous).

God speaks about those neutral people who aren't trying to be for Him in Revelation.

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." -Revelation 3:15-16

People who do not Love God do not seek Him will be spit out of His mouth...no matter how many times they've been to church.

Misunderstandings are not my intention. The Lord is not looking for some sort of cream of the crop type situation where only the most pious and religious attain His pleasure.

On the contrary, Christ offered His kingdom to a despised tax collector, a blind beggar, a demon possessed prostitute and a thief hanging next to Him on the cross. It is the humble as opposed to the self-righteous that please Him. He is looking for a group that will lay themselves down in order to do His will and seek His face.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." -Deuteronomy 4:29

The kicker for me is that this sacrifice isn't much of one at all...

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

I give up my life and He makes it better than it ever was...perhaps less comfortable, but certainly stronger, more righteous and more loving.

The things that I was seeking before seem foolish and trite. They never satisfied no matter what I tried, but God does satisfy and He is leading me, improving me and responding to me. Likewise... I am responding to Him as He fills my life where so many bad influences left holes.