Ease Of Living How Do We Find It?
Thursday June 20, 2013
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
It is amazing to see what a human being can achieve through consistent disciplined effort. How many times have we watched athletes and marveled at the ease with which they perform their sport? We know that they developed their ability through rigorous training, the discipline that sets the athlete apart from the spectator. As we consistently take a personal inventory of our daily lives before God, and promptly adjust any shortcomings, we will achieve the ease of living at peace with God, with ourselves, and with our neighbor.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 MSG) The word translated “exercise” specifically refers to the disciplined training done by gymnasts in Paul’s day. As Christians, it is necessary to discipline ourselves to read the word of God and develop a habit of listening to God, rather than simply relying on our own thoughts. We need to learn God’s principles for healthy living and allow those principles to reshape the way we think and act. On a daily basis we need to let God’s teaching challenge, stretch, and develop us. We may experience some discomfort in the fact that we are not where we anticipated we would be at this point in our recovery but, we are making progress. New ways bring new challenges. Our old ways are being replaced with new skills and a new relationship with God. Taking personal inventory will enable us to assess if the challenges we experience are just the temporary pain of new muscles being built or if vulnerable areas are being exposed.
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT) ©2013 Partners in Hope
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