What’s good in the neighborhood!?!?! *that sounded so ghetto* But for real what’s up friends, neighbors, acquaintances, crushes *I know you read my blog* (trying to shoot my shot while doing God’s work at the very same time *inserts moon face smiley*) Alright I’m done!!!! I want to briefly apologize for being MIA for the whole of February, I had a lot going on *The Holy Spirit says I have no excuse even though I feel like I do but okay* Tonight God has placed a topic I can completely relate to on my heart. I like writing from a place of understanding, and experience so this topic is pretty close to home.
Temporary fix! How many things have you tried to “fix”temporarily? How many times have you tried to temporarily “fix” deep rooted issues? A classic example will be fasting from social media. Bruh, I am the Chief Executive Director of the social media fast. I could go for a month, weeks, days, in an attempt to “fix” certain issues, but then come back one week later and I’m back to struggling again. It’s a pretty exhausting cycle. Do you feel the same way with other aspects of your life? Dieting, Instagram stalking (don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about), relationships, friends, shopping and I could go on forever. How many times did you succeed for two weeks straight then fall right back into the same exact ditch.
There are millions of reasons why we Christians could be trying to temporarily “fix” our lives.
1. You could be on a crunch for time. For instance, you need to get that promotion ASAP so, you try to make your way right with God just so you can begin to plead your case. Haha can you see how ridiculous we humans are? I bet Jesus just sits on the thrown and shakes his head when we do certain things.
2. You could be running from addressing the main issue, refusing to see yourself for what you truly are, or just simply looking for an easy pass.
“So you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness” Luke 11 vs 39. I think sometimes we think we can finesse our way into being right with God. When I find myself doing things I promised myself and even God that I would never do I like to pause and ask myself “what is the REAL issue here?” Why do I keep coming back to ground zero? And as much as I encourage pulling away from social media, or whatever your besetting sin is, you actually need to get to a point where you have mastered the tricks of the devil. A point where you understand your stand in this Christian walk.
The number one thing you need to understand is YOU CANNOT FIX YOURSELF. Simple and short. You can try. You can delete social media, you can block a billion people, the devil will simply test you some other way. Now, I’m in no way telling you to not take preventive measures. What I’m trying to tell you is, it’s not a one-month thing. You won’t abstain from watching porn for one month and suddenly be free from the temptation. The devil will try again and again and again. So, you need to be constantly guarded. Never for one second slipping away from the presence of God. More and more I’m beginning to see that Christianity is a LIFESTYLE. It’s not just 30 minutes of your quiet time, or 1 week of your television fast, it is every second you spend at the grocery store, it is what you said to that lady you knew you’d never see again. Every minute of your time makes your Christian walk what it is.
Sometimes you have to remind yourself why you do the things you do. Why do you read devotionals, why do you attend choir practice, why do you even give offering? Sometime ago I found myself taking pride in my YouVersion Bible streak, I had 143 days straight of using the Bible app. So, in a little way I felt like I had my life together. Then one day I missed a day and I went back to “1”. Dear friends I was frantic, lol, I deleted the app and downloaded it again. I thought it was a glitch with the app. Right there and then the Holy spirit revealed my heart to me. I was simply counting days and forgetting my relationship with Jesus. In Philippians 3, Paul talks about how his achievement and accolades mean nothing compared to the “possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Jesus” vs 8. He speaks of “progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of recognizing and understanding him more fully and clearly.” Philippians 3 vs 8 AMPC.
You must understand that it’s not about checking off a list. “okay so I don’t fornicate anymore… check. On to fixing the next sin”. Paul goes on to say, “And that I may {actually} be found and KNOWN as IN Him, not having any {self-achieved} righteousness that can be called my own…” Philippians 3 vs 9 AMPC. I feel like I could write a whole page on that verse alone. Let us stop trying to temporarily fix ourselves while neglecting the reason why we actually need to be fixed and the real MVP that does the fixing. Philippians 2 vs 13 AMPC says “{Not in your own strength} for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you {energizing and creating in you the power and desire}, both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Emphasis on “effectually” that is, continuously. God is continuously working on us, giving us the desire and power to do what PLEASES HIM. Get this straight, it is all for Him. Not for you to brag about or take the glory. For our righteousness is but a filthy rag. Isaiah 64 vs 6.
I thought this was going to be a short one. Lol. Lastly, have this at the back of your mind, only God can make you righteous. Getting righteous involves the little things, it incorporates your everyday life and most of all, it is not so you can “feel” saved. It is for God’s glory. I want you to examine your every move, why do you want what you want? Why do you so desperately need to quit that bad habit? How do you quit? How do you stay above your flesh but still be in complete submission to God? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know how best to please the Father.
God bless you all.
