Most of you know that my son is a teenager. Recently, he and I had a pretty blunt discussion on my worldview vs. his developing worldview in some areas. In frustration and trying to mock me, my 13 year old son said to me, "Dad, you sound like Jesus!"
I know this was meant to be an insult, but really at that moment, he made me feel good even though I didn't necessarily thank him for the attempted "poke".
We continued to talk about the topic and he said something else to me that really made me think for awhile actually.
I responded to his comment and he said this, "Dad, why do you always give me the 'Christian' answer?" I had to think for a second, but only a second. The answer was, "Son, I gave my heart and life to Jesus and I think it should not be about chosing Jesus with one area and not with another, but everyday, I choose Him."
The conversation ended with me wrestling him into a headlock as we were playing and I was hoping to choke some of the teenager out of him. So after he yelled uncle, I sent him off to bed and his statement haunted me.
How often do I really do what I told him? If I'm honest with myself, I don't always choose Christ in everything I do. I know I want to, but I don't always. I remember Paul's verse:
Romans 7:15
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
My heart longs for Jesus! I long to be with a group of people sold out for Christ with God moving among us in a way like the Acts church. The Acts church was not perfect, but God really moved in their generation and people were sharing the Gospel and really bringing glory to God with their lives.
I long to be sold out to Christ walking side by side with brothers and sisters sold out for Christ. However, "what I want to do, I do not do." And also, "what I hate, I do." So why do my actions and my heart's desire sometimes seem so far out of whack?
I could give you a church answer on a general sense and talk about flesh and spiritual battles (I'm sure that's there too). I could make excuses with my lack of time, fatigue, other priorities and responsibilities or whatever. But really, I see my heart as my pointer and my actions as proof that I'm not there yet.
I'll leave it at this: I believe we have to let our hearts point us to Christ. I think our hearts will always be dragging our actions along with us. But luckily, our hearts have help.
God will help your heart drag the rest of you along.
Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Don't be discouraged if you fail, but strive to be the person your heart longs for you to be in Christ!
God bless,
Dave
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