Life as a River is Intentional
More and more our lives are impacted by "auto-pilot'. We have cars that 'park themselves' - We have really smart phones that do all kinds of things 'for us'. Life is becoming so unintentional that at times I feel like I am just an observer - mindlessly going through the motions.
Every area of our lives is impacted by this reality - We have audio Bibles that 'speak to us'. No longer do I need to actually read the scripture - much less meditate or even THINK about what I am reading.
We talk about 'unintended consequences'. Yes, many of the things we DO, have consequences that we didn't spend one nanosecond considering - because they were just automatic.
Scripture reading, prayer (perfunctory), worship, and dare I even say being a river and not a reservoir all happen without the brain engaged much of the time. We are on 'auto-pilot'. Please God forgive me! Wake me up, and shake me out of this monotony.
Being a RIVER and not a RESERVOIR requires two things - both in the opposite direction of an 'auto-pilot' lifestyle.
Every area of our lives is impacted by this reality - We have audio Bibles that 'speak to us'. No longer do I need to actually read the scripture - much less meditate or even THINK about what I am reading.
We talk about 'unintended consequences'. Yes, many of the things we DO, have consequences that we didn't spend one nanosecond considering - because they were just automatic.
Scripture reading, prayer (perfunctory), worship, and dare I even say being a river and not a reservoir all happen without the brain engaged much of the time. We are on 'auto-pilot'. Please God forgive me! Wake me up, and shake me out of this monotony.
Being a RIVER and not a RESERVOIR requires two things - both in the opposite direction of an 'auto-pilot' lifestyle.
Obedience
To be obedient to the Holy Spirit requires hearing and knowing what the Holy Spirit is asking me to do. As long as I am on auto-pilot - doing all of the 'right' and 'routine' things - it is highly unlikely that I will hear the voice of God speaking - or recognize that it is He that is speaking to me.
I am coming to the realization that in our Western culture, we have placed such an emphasis on knowledge and comfort, that we often 'walk right past' simple acts of obedience. We have learned how to do all of the 'right' things, and have programmed them into our auto-pilot lifestyles (Christian as they may be) and we go merely through the week 'whistling a happy tune'. Now, I am aware that I may be overstating the case here a bit - but honestly not much.
When God says, "I honor obedience more than sacrifice" ( 1 Samuel 15:22) He means exactly that, He honors obedience more than the 'sacrifice' of our church attendance, Bible reading or any other rituals of our 'auto-pilot' existence.
Lord, break me out of my 'sleep-walking' and help me to obey you EVERY time you speak!
To be obedient to the Holy Spirit requires hearing and knowing what the Holy Spirit is asking me to do. As long as I am on auto-pilot - doing all of the 'right' and 'routine' things - it is highly unlikely that I will hear the voice of God speaking - or recognize that it is He that is speaking to me.
I am coming to the realization that in our Western culture, we have placed such an emphasis on knowledge and comfort, that we often 'walk right past' simple acts of obedience. We have learned how to do all of the 'right' things, and have programmed them into our auto-pilot lifestyles (Christian as they may be) and we go merely through the week 'whistling a happy tune'. Now, I am aware that I may be overstating the case here a bit - but honestly not much.
When God says, "I honor obedience more than sacrifice" ( 1 Samuel 15:22) He means exactly that, He honors obedience more than the 'sacrifice' of our church attendance, Bible reading or any other rituals of our 'auto-pilot' existence.
Lord, break me out of my 'sleep-walking' and help me to obey you EVERY time you speak!
Intentionality
How many actions in your day today, did you do with a keen awareness that you were doing it intentionally? Now I am not saying that life doesn't have ANY unintentional or routine actions - of course it does. But, if you are like me, I have let the 'auto-pilot' culture I live in numb me to the 'life and joy' that comes with an intentional awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and acting in obedience to His direction.
How many actions in your day today, did you do with a keen awareness that you were doing it intentionally? Now I am not saying that life doesn't have ANY unintentional or routine actions - of course it does. But, if you are like me, I have let the 'auto-pilot' culture I live in numb me to the 'life and joy' that comes with an intentional awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence and acting in obedience to His direction.
I desire to be a River of God's grace as He flows through my life to OTHERS. I am becoming convinced that this will not happen without unplugging the 'auto-pilot' of my life, and joining God as an OBEDIENT and INTENTIONAL river.
RIVERS NOT RESERVOIRS
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
Blog: www.hisrivers.org
Email: his.rivers@gmail.com
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
Blog: www.hisrivers.org
Email: his.rivers@gmail.com
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