Chasing the light instead of finding the flashlight

Tonight, while thinking and praying about some things I wonder if God wants me to say to a friend of mine, the reinforcement of a principle of faith came to me. The things I was praying about was singing. About encouraging this individual in the paths that God has for them. And that while they have sang well in the past...but I believe that God has gifted this individual to sing at a level they cannot understand presently. But that they will only achieve such a level of performance and sound by being filled with the Holy Spirit in the midst of worship and being annointed for such work. I'm not sure they have ever had such an experience. I could be wrong. But more to the point....I began to think of the times in my life when I felt such an outpouring in my voice. One I cannot claim as my own. It was such a wonderful thing. A feeling of elation, joy, and peace rolled into one that I cannot put into words.

This got me to thinking. How often do we as christians chase after these "mountain top experiences"? We run from worship service to prayer time, to conferences, to a new church. All the while seeking to experience this "high" of sorts. But is the mountain top God? NO!!! It comes from God, but it is not God. I relate this to how some cats will chase a point of light on a wall or floor. They see the light, and they will chase, and chase, and chase. Constantly trying to "catch" this thing they want, but cannot grasp. We know that the light comes from a source. Either a pointer or a flashlight.

In much the same way, don't we chase after these fleeting mountain top feelings of being close to God, yet all the while MISS the oppurtunity God extends to us of knowing Him personally? If the cat realized that the source of the light was within it's grasp, don't you think it would then be far more interested in the source instead of the light? Why would it want to continue to chase something it can't grasp, when it could play and interact with something tangible?

So in the same fashion, why do we chase so hard after, and revel so intensely in, the light? When the flashlight, the source of that light, is within our grasp? God desires that we seek him with "all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and with all our strength." Not seek the "feeling of me" with all we are. He says SEEK ME with everything we are.

I pray that we be a people that seek God first, understanding that the "mountain top experiences" are a part of the journey, and a part of our faithwalk, but not the sum of it. May we always seek the flashlight, and not just the light!

Too hard...too fast

This week I've once again been reminded of the very important lesson of not pushing my body too hard, too fast. It actually sets you back more than it helps. Consistent training is the key. Only when there has been sustained consistency can intensity be added. I tried to add too much too quick. After an AMAZING bike ride at Camp Horizon Sat with my friend James Sanders I was feeling really good. I went out Sunday night for a short little jog around the "campus mile", which actually is .75 of a mile. It was right before bed and I didn't want to do too much that would "keep me up". Afterwards, I did some hops. Mainly to work on my calf strength. I did two sets, and felt them straining at the end of the second set. Debated a third set, and I thought, "Hey, the harder I push the stronger I get!" Um, no. My legs were crap in basketball class Tuesday. My calves weren't overly sore, but had been strained too much to be effective for getting my 235 pound body up to speed on the court. Ugh. Yesterday my schedule and the weather kept me inside. Today life piled up, my parents came into town on their way to my aunts funeral, and yet again...I didn't get out. Tomorrow is bball class, and at least some elipical and stationary bike in the gym. This weekend?? Perhaps Horizon again...we'll see what happens. But this time....consistency, not intensity. :)

Time to grow up and take food seriously!!

Last night I was doing some thinking and praying about recent events that had transpired in my life and one of the most jaw dropping revelations I have had in recent time hit me. I'll copy what I wrote in my journal. I feel it's about as concise as I can get.


2-4-09
Interesting thought hit me tonight. More like revelational thought. Rev McClure (a local pastor and mentor) and I had a conversation a couple weeks ago about my lack of prayer due to a lack of thankfulness. He held me accountable, citing scripture on thankfulness, and afterwards I could feel God tell me, "it's time to grow up!". I'm so thankful for this man and his wisdom and insight. His influence in my life. So thankful. Tonight, the thought occured to me that "how is MY lack of thankfulness God's problem? It's my problem. God has provided the food for me. It is a blessing. Something that so many of my brother and sisters in the Lord do not have. I should be thankful for it with a heart of humility and reverence. If I am so deluded that I can't feel any gratitude over a meal, then I don't deserve the gift of that meal. I should then immediately start fasting until I become hungry enough that I can be truly thankful for such a thing as easy access to food.

This for me brings up connotations of being the body. My actions are directly linked to the lives of my brothers and sisters both those near me, and those around the world. My life impacts another, which impacts another, which impacts another, which then goes across the world and brings relief to a suffering brother or sister in the Lord. And vice versus. Because of this we need to do everything we can to minister, not taking for granted the smallest but much needed things in life, such as meals. The Father hasn't provided these things for me to in turn squander them. He provides them for reasons. How would I feel if there wasn't enough food, and I went without so someone else could have, because I believed that the work they could accomplish from being strong and nurished would bring about real change that might eventually bring about a better place for everyone. And then to watch that person squander that gift. To indulge in it, and never seek to make things better. How guilty am I?! How guilty are we the church?!Thats how I see the body. I have been given meals so I have the strength, focus, and energy to do all He has for me to accomplish. When I don't accomplish those tasks, taking for granted the smallest of gifts, it doesn't just hurt me, it hurts the body. Because my actions, or lack there of, affect those around me. Oh how I need to keep that in mind. Bless you Mr. McClure, bless you , and all glory be to the God that lives within you.