How is my life prioritized? Is God first in my life? Do I put other things before God? Do I seek the presence of God and live from His grace? These are some of questions that I have been challenged with lately. At this point in my life I am being challenged more than I ever have and stretched in so many ways. This challenge to put to death the old man and seek a life in Christ that is powered by His Spirit and motivated by Love.
When I prayed and ask God to take my life and make me new I had no idea what I was asking or what would come out of it. I know this is what God wants and what is best for me but I had no idea what this required. I have to say that I am at a really hard place in my life but I know that there is breakthrough ahead. I know that since I am coming against strongholds in my life and that I am seeking Christ I will have breakthrough and I will walk in more and more freedom. Since I have started battling and putting to death desires to give up and continue to press in, I am seeing breakthrough and God is revealing so much to me that I was oblivious to.
Since I am leading an outreach team, closely walking with three male students, helping manage and prepare our building for the the extra amount of students that will be arriving next quarter, working the classroom sound, as well as many other responsibilities, how do I spend time with the Lord and prioritize my relationship with Him first? I can't say that I have done this as well as I hoped I would but I am learning more than I could ever imagine. If I knew that staffing was going to be this amount of hard work and stress with constant 12 hour days and needing to be constantly physically, mentally and spiritually ready I would probably have chose a different path. I know that God is leading me in this and He is wanting me to grow closer to Him and more dependent on Him. I know that this is a lifelong process and a daily decision to pick up my cross and follow Christ.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25
Awesome to hear all of this. Thank you for including the bit on how you are/were struggling with putting to death the desires to give up. I am also dealing with similar issues as God is beginning to inspire me go headlong into a lifestyle of pray, worship, and seeking His heart. I want these three things more than anything, but am I willing to see it through? That's the question. It sounds as if you are encountering similar motivations.
ReplyDeleteAs I keep you in prayer, I will be praying for us both.
Love you Matt.
Loren