In Susie Larson's devotional, "Prevail," she says concerning Deuteronomy 1:32-45, that "The Israelites were deeply motivated by fear as well as by their love of comfort and convenience... these motivations will sabotage the great things God wants to do in and through us."
Hmmm...
Once again, unfortunately, I think I can relate to the Israelites more than I care to admit.
Being "motivated" by fear and the love of comfort and convenience. Yup. I can relate.
If something sounds too hard - too difficult - too scary - too inconvenient - surely then, that's NOT something God is calling me to do.
I'm too old for "hard" - not smart enough or strong enough for "difficult" -and although when I was younger, "scary" was something I said, "BRING IT ON!" to...
...the endorphins rushing through me as I rode down the steepest hill of a roller coaster, screaming my head off, then saying, "Let's do that again!!"
But now?? ...
"Scary" might throw my back out! "Scary" could give me a heart attack! or a stroke! "Scary" is something I steer clear from!
Risk? Nope. No risks here. Give me ease, give me comfort. I want convenience. I adore my microwave and high-speed internet.
"Wait" is not a word I want to hear either. Yup. Add "wait" to hard, scary, and risky. I want nothing to do with any of these concepts.
"These motivations will sabotage the great things God wants to do in and through us." -Susie Larson
I looked up synonyms for "sabotage"... I found these words...
Impair, ruin, obstruct, countermine, deception, rebellion, vandalism, chain, shackles...
There is a Christian saying, "If God leads you to it, He will see you through it."
and
"Where He guides, He provides."
Note to self:
Donna, next time God puts on your heart to do something, or maybe SAY something, or go somewhere difficult, hard, inconvenient or risky, Just. Do. It! Say it! Go there! Don't be foolish. Be wise.
And remember, delayed obedience is disobedience.
If I told my daughter to clean her room and a few hours later, I see her on the couch watching TV and her room still looks like a tornado went through it - I would be upset with her for not doing what I had told her to do. So, I would tell her again, "Turn off the TV and go clean your room." ...How many times must I tell her before she obeys me? Hours? Days? Weeks?? ...Delayed obedience IS disobedience.
Convenience and comfort will always be desirous. I'm human. Who doesn't want convenience and comfort??
...and fear? Fear can grab a hold of me quickly if I let it.
The Christian artist, Zach Williams, sings a song, "Fear is a Liar". SO SO TRUE!! The song at one point says, "Cast your fear in the fire, cuz fear, he is a liar!"
So, what will motivate me? My desire for comfort? Convenience? Will fear keep me in shackles preventing me from moving - doing - saying...
OR
Will I keep my focus on Jesus? ...filling myself up with His Words - His Presence - Worship music - more of Him, and less of me?
The me in me wants that comfort and convenience and holds onto fear. However, the Jesus in me has set me free! And if the Son has set me free -
I am free indeed!
There is an old story that some say comes from Cherokee or other indigenous American peoples about two wolves. There are two wolves fighting within you. One, good, and one, evil. Which one shall win the fight and dominate you and your decisions? ... the answer?
...The one you feed.
So, the question then is whom am I going to feed today? The good wolf or the evil one? The me in me - my flesh and natural bent toward sin? Or the Jesus in me? My spirit, my soul?
Right now, I'm thinking of the Disney movie, "Beauty and the Beast". The part where Belle refuses to come out of her room to have dinner with the Beast - the Beast gets so angry, he screams, "THEN GO AHEAD AND STARVE!!!"
Yup. This is what I want to say to that old evil wolf within me - the me in me...
GO AHEAD AND STARVE!!!!!
Father, forgive me for all of the times that I have let my love of comfort and convenience - and the fear within me - to overrule the commands you've given me - or prevented me from the direction that You wanted me to go - or the words You've wanted me to say. Forgive me for my foolish ways.
I don't want to sabotage the great things You want to do in and through me. I want to be sooooooo full of You - to be sold out for Jesus 100% - to obey You quickly and trust You completely.
I want to breathe you in, and exhale - walking in step with You - with each breath that I take - and each move that I make - and every single word that I speak - all done in accordance with Your will. Your plan. Amen and AMEN!
So relatable! I love your messages.