Good stuff

In Sunday school at church we are learning about what it really means to follow Christ. Jody asked if there is a dfference between mental assent and following at a heart level. I would say - absolutely. Unfortunately, it is EASIER to follow what we think is the right thing based on a rule we made or someone else made for us, rather than actually follow Christ. Following Christ is uncomfortable and often times scary, delving into what feels like unchartered waters. The cool thing with it being so new is that we have no idea what each outcome will be. We can and should expect miracles continuously as we hold Jesus' hand in an incredible adventure.

Rule keeping is the easy way out. The law in the Old Testament is sort of like a tutor. It is there until people become mature enough to develop discernment. Living faith is born in the relationship, not in the rule keeping.

This reminds me of what someone told me about the sin of passivity. She was looking at Scriptures and seeing that the person who withdraws from relationship and seems passive can actually be at greater fault than someone who is commiting outward "evident" sins. (Mind you, I'm processing all of my B.S. stuff and the stuff from class and corelating all of this together so this may not really make sense to anyone else but me.) I am just beginning to really see how deep God is calling us to relationships - not just to Him but to each other. Say, Travis and I get in an argument and he is upset and I withdraw (which is what usually happens). I may feel completely justified for my withdrawal because to me, it may be uncalled for that he is upset. BUT, my withdrawal from engaging with him in working on our relationship is something that God takes very seriously. I am called to have an active part in my relationship with not only my husband but also my brothers and sisters in Christ.

One other thing Jody said is that conviction is God raising His voice. When we're convicted about something, He's speaking loudly, plainly, in our face. Conviction is an invitation for repentance - it is NOT in itself repentance, just the very beginning of the journey. She said to picture a car. God is driving. He pulls up to you and says, "Get in." And as you are driving you begin throwing all your baggage out the window at different points. Once the baggage is all thrown out, you come to a cul-de-sac which is where repentence takes place. We can only be truly repentant once we have gotten rid of all of our baggage. Then, once we've repented, we make a turn and go back in the opposite direction.

This is another thing she said that I liked, "God's communication with His children is like a fingerprint. They can be similar, but it is still unique to you." He loves us so much that He actually uniquely communicates with each one of us. Wow. Now, I really am wanting to hear Him so clearly - to drown out the loud voices of myself that have been there so long and to really hear and know Him. I want to have the assurance that I don't ever have to worry if "that was really God" because His voice will be so strong and seperate that I will totally know my God's voice from the others. His voice is beginning to get stronger in my heart, so I know it is starting to happen. Baby steps, I suppose. One day at a time.