Not comparing my recent blog absence to the mother of all sins, but I can see how Adam could justify taking a bite of the proverbial apple in the Garden of Eden. My extended absence from this blog was rationalized because my computer had some malware and needed to be replaced. Therefore, I used it as an excuse to: A. Wait until I had another computer; B. Not start blogging again until I had all the software installed. Of course since I could not blog, there was really no need to spend extended time in Bible study and prayer. So my computer malware became an excuse for extra snooze button festivals in the morning.
Time to get back to self-discipline, some self-sacrifice and get things up and running once again. Luckily God chose not to utilize the rod of correction to get me back on track.
I am going to switch to the weekly Sunday School readings to guide my ponderings and musings. I need to read the lesson each week, so why not make it the focus of my blog?
I believe that Chapter 25 is the lesson for tomorrow. Since it is Saturday, I will have to hurry through this week's lesson, but at least the road to discipline recovery has begun. (I can already hear the little voice saying, "Oh, tomorrow is Sunday so you will get God time then, and you have so much to do today, why not just wait until Monday to restart your blog." How quickly and subtly does our human side start to assert itself.)
Christ incarnate or Holy Spirit/Holy Bible? Which one would more likely create a faithful, unwavering disciple? There have been many times in my life when I have said to myself, "If only Jesus were right here with me in person to help guide or strengthen me. Boy, then I would be this on-fire, bold, fearless follower of Him." Chapter 25 in The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People proves that to be wishful thinking.
At this point in Christ's life, the disciples had witnessed first-hand Jesus heal, cast out demons and perform miracles. They had sat under His direct instruction and listened to Him as he dumbfounded the religious leaders of the day. Yet one of the twelve, Peter, argued with Christ (Mark 8:32), they all misunderstood Jesus' teaching (Mark 8:17) and eventually deserted Him at a crucial point in His life (Mark 14:50).
Not that these examples should be an excuse for our desertion of Christ during periods in our lives, but it should help decrease the feelings of guilt when those times happen. It should also serve as a caution that we should "never say never". Our relationship with Christ should never be taken for granted or allowed to slip into a casual, que sar sar affair. I think Paul had the right idea when he equated the Christian life to the training regime of an athlete. Daily, intentional, disciplined and intense. While that is still not guarantee against periodic idleness, it should help prevent extended absences from the spiritual disciplines.
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