How Much Of Us Does God Want ?
A hard question, with answers that are often more suited to fit our life style than anything else. We can pick and choose scriptures to justify right where we are. I do that and I know I am not alone. A quick search of the Bible using two words, heart and soul, tell us exactly what God expects. That little phrase is always paired with the word ALL. All of our heart and soul....that's kinda hard in this world that pulls us in 50 different directions on any given day and besides, giving all our heart and soul makes us seem so different.
Think about your day, make one of those pie charts that shows how much you give to each aspect of your day. Clothes, food, work, television, reading, personal computer time, cell phone time which would include texting, personal relationships, the pursuit of acquiring more possessions, which would include crafting (ouch) and then figure in your time spent in prayer, in helping others with no thought of repayment of any kind. How much time spent in Bible study ? Of course there are things that overlap, raising a godly family and having a god fearing home could go under a couple categories. We need to be truthful too about that.
My pie chart is making me feel a bit uncomfortable, I keep wondering how in the world it got so out of whack, how it happened that God gets such a small portion. The computer has a big slice of this pie as does crafting. Do I really need that many aprons or quilts ? Of course not. What would my life look like if my walk with God did involve all my heart and soul ? It would look much different than it does now. My service towards others would be far more outreaching.
If God really does want all my heart and soul, then that would mean all my actions and thoughts would be geared towards His ways.
I am not being hard on myself, just being real and measuring up to what Gods word says....simple as that. God isn't being demanding by asking us this, He is simply asking us to do what will give us the best life on earth, so how is it that we walk around with rebellion in our hearts like a young teenager ignoring the wisdom of his/her parents ?
Difficult questions, with answers that lie in each of our hearts.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Comments
But still, its a lot of time spent indulging my own interests.
Is this failing perhaps because God is not a visible presence who demands a response?