Two winters ago I had the privelege of feeding the bluebirds that lived around my home. I started with just a few, but soon the number grew to around thirteen. Each day I would set out a batch of homemade suet in the morning and a handful of meal worms in the afternoon. Before long the bluebirds came to expect this daily ritual. Every afternoon at 4:00 I would have a bluebird or two waiting on the rail of my back deck. As soon as I would step through the door, I would call out "come blues, come blues". Before a minute passed I would have all thirteen of them fluttering just a few feet above my head. Every day I fed them I would hold my hand up with a mealworm in the tips of my fingers. Each time they would just fly a bit farther up, out of my reach. Never risking contact. Never taking the gift in my outstretched hand.
As Christians are we a bit like these bluebirds? Do we willingly take God's gifts and blessings, yet forget or refuse to make full contact with Him. Do you find yourself busy with life, flitting from one activity to the next never making a strong commitment to the One who loves you? Do you flutter around just on the edge of His righteousness, but never take the time to receive the full glory of a strong relationship with Christ?
I know I struggle with this. I desire a relationship with Christ, but I don't put in the effort. I move throughout my days caught up in busyness, living my life just on the fringe of God's love. Revelation 3:16 says
So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
I find myself like the bluebirds I feed. I am eager to take the gifts God gives me, but I tend to do it from a distance. Keeping just out of reach from my Savior. Never venturing in too deep. Accepting His goodness, but skirting a deeper relationship. It's a difficult path, because I have good intentions. I DO want a deeper relationship with God. But, somehow I always find myself skipping off on another tangent when I should be focusing on the Lord.
I WANT to be on fire for the Lord. I desire to serve Him. I don't want God to "spit me out" because I have lived a life of lukewarm service to Him. I want to "shine like a star in the universe" (Phil. 2:15). I yearn for others to see a difference in me. I want them to see God's all powerful love. But, to do all this I need to make an investment. I need to stop living on the outskirts one moment and living in His palm the next. I need consistency. I want to run to my father's arms and stay there. Instead of wriggling my way out and fluttering away to live my busy life. Its a struggle. One that I can't seem to win. This old sin nature keeps me jumping back and forth. In and out of the fold.
Thankfully I can claim this verse
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
I will be claiming VICTORY!
* For the past few weeks I have had no desire to read my bible or pray. I let my physical condition effect my spiritual life. I became depressed and frustrated. Instead of turning to God, I turned away. I tried to read my bible. I tried to search for texts that would lighten my despair, but I just grew weary. Galations 5:7 says, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" I know who kept me from running a good race- satan. Not anymore! I'm back in the race, on the right track and heading for the finish line
Jenn, What a beautiful post!Have a great day!Blessings, Faye
ReplyDeleteKeep running to Him- even if you slow down at times. Glad you're back on track!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, girlie!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so not alone in this - I say it so often, but I need to make so much more of an effort in my relationship with my Father.I so want to be on fire for Him, too - but I know that I have got to put more into it.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the italicized part:
ReplyDeleteThat's my girl.
Reflections: I found that Job 3 was comforting. It gave me words (v.24) in middle of the night. I understood him.
Also, I became a pro at crying with my pillow over my face, telling God that I was tired. He honored that. Tears became a new alphabet for me.
Don't be hard on yourself. This is when our Spirit groans. He knows exactly the state that you are in. He loves those who suffer, so much. It is just being poured out on you. I can feel it all the way from here!
Hang in there.
TJK
I love this post. Such a great picture to hold in my mind as a much-needed reminder. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post-and don't be so hard on yourself...Jesus always has his hands open to us-that is the beauty of Grace, and Love-
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy (if that's even how you spell it)
ReplyDeleteI believe we all do that from time to time. It's nice to have it put so well. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it.
good for you!!! i feel the same way-not doing enough. i'm starting a weekly post on biblical scriptures. hope you drop by sometime with your input.
ReplyDeletechasity