"'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,'
but I will not be enslaved by anything." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12
Paul knew that he could do anything that didn't go against God's commands. We have liberty in Christ to choose whatever we want to do within the boundaries of God's laws, but not everything we can do is helpful and some things may even enslave us by causing us to be "addicted" to them.
Lilas Trotter was a missionary to African Muslims in 1888 until her death in 1928. She had a sweet closeness with her Lord and deep desire to see the unbelievers in Algeria come to salvation. She wrote the following words. (I realize that this is a long quote, but please read it slowly, for there is much truth shared from the heart of this godly woman.)
It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?…Dare to have it out with God…and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His glory…
How do we bring things to focus in the world of optics? Not by looking at the things to be dropped, but by looking at the one point that is to be brought out. Turn your soul's vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him." (From Noel Piper's book entitled Faithful Woman & Their Extraordinary God, pages 46-47.)
Lilas encourages us to turn our eyes to Jesus and delight fully in Him - for this is the "best". We need to ask ourselves whether or not we are being drawn closer to God and honoring Him or drawing away from God and dishonoring Him with the things we do with our time. There is so much joy and beauty in fixing our eyes on the Lord and loving and worshiping Him with all our hearts.
What things in our lives are like the "art, music, social science, games, motoring" that Lilas mentioned? For me, God opened my eyes after a conversation with my family to areas where instead of living out the very best God has for me, I'm just pursuing the "good". For me, these things are internet, movies, certain books, and food.
These are activities that aren't necessarily wrong in and of themselves (if they are, we need to run, not just limit our intake). God helped me to see the need to get my focus off of these things and on to Him. These areas may or may not be struggles for you. I encourage you pray and examine your heart for the pursuits in which you aren't truly seeking God's best in your life. This is truly a heart matter and one we can only face by God's grace. When we come to the Lord in prayer and a humble heart, asking God to open our eyes, He will show us and guide us into His best for us - which is far greater than we can even imagine!
It's important that we don't just seek to limit things in our lives without adding in other, "best" activities that do draw us closer to the Lord and honor Him. Here's the list the Lord brought to mind:
- Spend more time with the Lord, in His Word and prayer.
- Have time with each of my family members.
- Help in the kitchen and around the house.
- Play the piano, flute, and sing.
- Work on ministry projects.
- Eat good, healthy food.
- Read non-fiction.
- Write.
- Encourage friends through letters, emails, and conversations.
Your list is probably going to look very different - but please include spending more time with the Lord. This is something we all need and truly, when we are spending time with the Lord and looking fully to Him, by His grace, as Lilias encouraged us, the things of this world grow less important! Pray for the Lord to show you His "best" for you.
Why do I share all this? Because I need to be seeking more after Jesus. It's a struggle for me to keep my eyes fully fixed on Him. Like Lilas said, "Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?" Last night as I was falling asleep, so much was running through my mind. Movie scenes and pictures jumbled up with thoughts about my devotions. It is my desire to fall asleep thinking only of my Lord. I can't change my habits on my own, but His Spirit and grace are given to me - as they are given to all of you who have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior - so through Him I can learn to pursue His best for me. His ways are more wonderful and so much greater than mine! I want more of Him and less of me and this world.
Paul reminds us,
There is much you can choose to do today. What will you do? Will it be God's best for you? Or is it just "good"? Remember, you can only pursue God's best by His grace working in you. Lean on Him and let Him reveal Himself to you.
Let's walk this path together with great joy, pursuing God with all our hearts and seeking His very best for our lives, not just the "good". This is a wonderful pursuit with Him and it is absolutely amazing to lift up our eyes and look to Jesus and love Him with all our hearts. He alone will satisfy. I want to love and glorify Him more. I'm still learning. Let's learn together, asking is it just something "good" or is it the very "best"?
Love from your Sister-in-Christ,
Christina
Why do I share all this? Because I need to be seeking more after Jesus. It's a struggle for me to keep my eyes fully fixed on Him. Like Lilas said, "Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day?" Last night as I was falling asleep, so much was running through my mind. Movie scenes and pictures jumbled up with thoughts about my devotions. It is my desire to fall asleep thinking only of my Lord. I can't change my habits on my own, but His Spirit and grace are given to me - as they are given to all of you who have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior - so through Him I can learn to pursue His best for me. His ways are more wonderful and so much greater than mine! I want more of Him and less of me and this world.
Paul reminds us,
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
~ Colossians 3:1-2
And the writer of Hebrews tells us,
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
~ Hebrews 12:1-2
Our goal in life is to glorify God and draw closer to Him. Let's lift up our eyes, away from the things that distract us and onto the things that point us to Him. The path we walk with Jesus is glorious when we are fixed on Him. He is beautiful and when we are seeking Him, we experience the greatest joy, satisfaction, and purpose. There is incredible peace when we are pursuing His "best" for our lives.
God deserves all our worship - not just a little. Jesus showed us what to do with our lives when He said,
"You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind."
with all your soul and with all your mind."
~ Matthew 22:37b
He continued, guiding us on what else to do with our time,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ~ Matthew 22:39b
Our time should be spent loving God and loving other people, through the strength of our wonderful Lord.
Let's walk this path together with great joy, pursuing God with all our hearts and seeking His very best for our lives, not just the "good". This is a wonderful pursuit with Him and it is absolutely amazing to lift up our eyes and look to Jesus and love Him with all our hearts. He alone will satisfy. I want to love and glorify Him more. I'm still learning. Let's learn together, asking is it just something "good" or is it the very "best"?
Love from your Sister-in-Christ,
Christina
