And Life Goes On....

As I sit here at my laptop, already feeling the heat of the day washing over me, I feel the urge to put some of my recent thoughts down here.

"God's reality is higher than human expectations - always. 

Raise your expectation to reflect His reality."

Chris Tiegreen ("At His Feet" Devotional Mark 5:21-43") 

How do I do that?  Or do I fall back into a complacent attitude of

 "and life goes on..."? 

It is soooo difficult to maintain the desire to rise above that complacency and raising my expectation to reflect His reality. 

I'm sensing a real spiritual, actually physical, battle going on in my spirit, mind & soul.  Who or what will win the day?  There is rising up in me a deeper, far deeper, hunger to

 "seek His kingdom first and not the things of this world"

(Matthew 6:33).

That desire is the Holy Spirit's work in my spirit, reminding me that I CAN'T fall backwards but need to keep on keeping on, as the saying goes! 

The walk of faith is not an easy one, no matter what some pastors teach.  To grow in that faith, that in Jesus Christ became reality many years ago now, is to also suffer through tribulation, testings, and hardships of many faces.  But, as our pastor and a dearly loved pastor who passed away a couple years ago, said we are responsible for our own spiritual growth.  Responsibility?  To whom? 

It's too easy to believe and live as society teaches that we are only responsible to ourselves and what we decide to do doesn't effect anyone else.  "we are an island onto our self"?  What a lie!  What about our children, if we should be so blessed?  Is it not proven over & over again that children imitate what they see & hear?  Where does our children pick up cursing, rudeness, and a lack of respect?  AND at very young age?  Yes, as a Christian, it's easy to lay our responsibility down to "we are born in sin" and little children reflect that truth. 

Okay..."and life goes on...". 

Responsibility!  So...how does that play itself out within me?  CAN I become complacent?  God Forbid!!! 

Even as I write these thoughts down here, the fight returns!!  Amazing, huh.  I pick up the torch once more and know that it will not be to nothing.  I do have a responsibility to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh before my God, my family, & my friends.  For the sake of the future generation, my children & grandchildren, may the Faith of my Fathers be evident in my life today, tomorrow and until I leave this world.  It will be my heritage to them and a testimony of God's love, mercy & grace. 

"And life goes on...". 

It is never, never stagnant!  It goes on, yes, but what I decide to do with it is my responsibility and only in this case is it mine alone! 

So I will continue to reach forward

'toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-4:1) Amen

Well, this has helped me to be strengthened in the spirit, soul & mind today.  I could continue to praise and worship, glorify and honor my Lord God Almighty and guess, I will just not here...

"and life goes on...". 

God's Blessings,
Jeanine