Think outside the box

I was talking to a good friend of mine about the fact that it is too easy for worldly thoughts, actions, values, etc. to creep into a soul to regain consciousness and regain power over the reigns of christian life. I can't help asking WHY? Why is it so easy? Is it because our devotion is divided between God, work, job, career, friends, kids, boyfriend, husband, sports, vacations, missions what ever you enjoy in life? Do we all have a Martha complex(Luke 10) Do we tend to get caught up in the details of our jobs, friends, kids, boyfriend, husband, sports, ministry, etc. rather than knowing the fine line between working for Jesus and just being still and listening to Him. Do we spend time in His presence just being still and knowing HE IS GOD (Psalms 46:10)? I am guilty of it, planning my life, hanging with my friends, doing whatever I want, because it's my life... isn't it? See that's where I'm wrong. This life I lead isn't mine. I gave it over to Christ the day I asked for forgiveness for and salvation from my sins. This is HIS life. And i have the nerve to waste it on things of the world. All i want is all He wants for me. To walk with Him, to know Him and His will for me. I want to be with Him ever second of every day.

I went to a wedding yesterday and i was talking to Kristi about marriage and how I don't think I will ever get married. Now I have thought this for a while, but it is only recently that I have become comfortable with the idea. I have been praying about it a lot and the Lord lead me to 1 Corinthians and in chapter 7 this is what it reads:

29Now let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short, so husbands should not let marriage be their major concern. 30Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God's work. 31Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away. 32In everything you do, I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. 33But a married man can't do that so well. He has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be more devoted to the Lord in body and in spirit, while the married woman must be concerned about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.

I am not saying no one should get married (1 Cor. 7:28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin). I am saying that is so much a part of our society that most people don't think twice about it. They go through the motions of life without stopping to think if this is how life is meant to be. In the words of Switchfoot "We were meant to live for so much more"

The more i fall in love with Jesus the more I fall out of love with the idea of worldly romance. I recommend to all Christian women... NO ALL WOMEN reading this entry to read a book called Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge. John Eldredge is the man who wrote Wild At Heart. Which i hear is a wonderful book for Men...hint hint. anyway, captivating is a life changing book that helped me to better understand my role as a woman, why God created us and what our purpose is... what my purpose is. Maybe someday it will be His will for me to get married and have a family, but not now. His will is directing me away from that right now. Only time will tell.

I hope this entry can help those of you who struggle with thoughts like this as i obviously do. If you want to talk email me. I would love to hear your heart and share what Christ is teaching me.

joy_joy_bean@yahoo.com (those are underscores between the words)