Just A Thought From The Bible!

[debris4spike]

I am putting this under the cut, as I don't want to offend ... and is fairly melancholy.



In my morning studies, I have been looking at the stories in The Pentateuch ... and am reminded at how often The Children of Israel forgot God.  He had rescued them from slavery, yet they went looking for other gods ... other leaders.

It made me realise today, how often I stray away from God's path ... I want to do what He wants, be where He wants ... yet, I keep returning to that one sin ...

I wish I could remember, at all times, that lovely dedication at the end of Joshua -

"As for me, I will serve God"

However much I write this, think it ... pray ... yet I still find I can't escape from that undercurrent at present.   I know there is no easy answer, I know that being a Christian doesn't take away the problems - yet, I still wish they did.  Isn't that awful, that I want to be the one who doesn't have to abide by the rules that, at the bottom of me, I know are right.

I'm not writing this for sympathy for those who are actually reading - mostly to remind myself, that I do believe in those "rules" - I must just learn to accept them (again), as I did up till recentlt ... and start fully living again.
 

Comments

[kalinda001.livejournal.com]

Some good and deep thoughts there.

I think sometimes that it is only when things aren't that easy that there can be a real test of our faith and character. It takes no effort to drift along when everything is going exactly the way we want. It's when a cost is involved that it shows what is most important to us.

[debris4spike]

That's so true - Thanks for reminding me of that Kal.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Faith means little unless it is tested and stands that test.

But sometimes the "rules" are less about the bedrock of your faith and more things which humans have added over the years. Christ was friends with tax collectors and fallen women. He comanded his followers not to judge others. What you see as a sin may be no more than human imperfection, and hey, we're all imperfect and none of us are fit to cast that first stone

It's good to look at the rules from time to time and maybe remember that there is really only one commandment, the one that Jesus gave you to replace all others.


Heh, that was pretty presumptous coming from a very lapsed Christian. But your faith should be a source of strength and peace to you. Be kind to yourself and no matter where you stray you'll come safe home

[debris4spike]

Thanks Debs - not at all presumptous. I would prefer people to kick me back on track, rather than just gloss over the weirness that seems to be me, at present!

I know that at the moment I am being my own worst enemy - and harshest judge ... more so than God is .... yet that in itself annoys me ... and I'm back at square one!!

My faith is my strength - it's the being kind to myself I am finding impossible!

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

I spend quite a lot of time working with people from The Society Of Friends (Quakers) and if ever I was to "unlapse" it would be because of the quiet strength and inner peace which these people literally radiate. And the heart of their ministry is "Be Still and Know"


In other words stop struggling, stop trying to puzzle it out, stop judging yourself . Find a quiet space and listen for that still small voice.

[debris4spike]

Thanks - inner peace is something I have, just a layer seperating it from my life. I need to let go of that ... in other words, it has occured to me a phrase that I have heard -

Let go, Let God.

[rivertempest.livejournal.com]

Some day, you will look back at all the trials you've suffered and then turn your face to His and say, "It was worth it."

He needs to bend and shape us to His fashion, not ours. ;)

[debris4spike]

Thanks for that Carrie - I do know it, just need to get it to sink into my brain a bit deeper.

*hugs*

[crossreactivity.livejournal.com]

I obviously don't know the details of your situation, but I understand the feelings very well. I think sometimes it's less about faith and more about trust and obedience to God. I'm always having to remind myself of the verse in Proverbs:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The struggle is within our hearts, and our human tendency is always to resist yielding control... whether out of stubbornness or fear. And complete peace comes when we can turn ourselves over to God without reservation, trusting in his judgment over our own.

You will be in my prayers. *hugs*

[debris4spike]

Thank you, very much. That verse is not one I had thought of - but was actually the first one I ever learnt, so a great double-edged reminder.

*hugs*

[norain21.livejournal.com]

I struggle a lot with this. I can so easily fall off track with God, and I hate it. Usually it's one particular sin that throws me off --- it's like I'll pray for forgiveness, but because I can't forgive myself I end up slacking in my bible studies and whatnot. It's something I'm working on, and hopefully I'll get better at it. I actually was given a nice book, 'how to draw close to Jehovah" that I'm reading and it's really comforting.

It's important to follow the 'rules', but I also think that each of us has a struggle with one or more of those rules, and thats when we need to keep talking to God and asking him to give us strength to do what is right because we can't do those things on our own.

[debris4spike]

It is true, we don't do things in our own strength - and that is part of my problem.

Thanks for that - *hugs*

[debris4spike]

Mmmm - I love some of the comments by both Paul and Peter, it does help remind me that they were as human as the rest of us.

[jaded-jamie.livejournal.com]

We all stray and we all fall aside. It's what we do with it when we do that matters. The very fact you are aware is step one. :)

[debris4spike]

Thanks - I just know I am stressing over "nothing" ... and that in itself is stressing me!

[jaded-jamie.livejournal.com]

Every thing's subjective and every thing's insecure. You are not worried about nothing at all and you have the right to feel how you feel. But we have an awesome God and we have the gift of prayer, so we have much to be grateful for. Take it to him and so will I, in your name and let's see if he can shake us out of our respective funks.. Deal?

[debris4spike]

Deal!

We can be positive for each other - and together, with God - Everything is possible.

*hugs* tight.

[jaded-jamie.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[jamalov29.livejournal.com]

I'm not a religious person but let me hug you tight, Deborah. (((big hug)))

[debris4spike]

Thank you - it's friends like you that really help.