Existing For God

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.


I missed my quiet-time yesterday morning. When God woke me up, I debated, considered, and then chose to roll over and go back to sleep. But sleep didn’t come. Instead, my head became filled with a song that I hear on the Christian radio station that I listen to. It talks about how when I’m feeling sad, my soul is weary, and my hands are tired, still I will lift them up to God, because it’s not about how I feel - I exist for Him. Wow! That was some message God was sending my way.

So, I began to wonder how many people really see it that way. How many people understand that it doesn’t matter how we feel, that’s not what it’s about - it’s about obeying God. I know that I tend to forget this lesson, often. It’s about going to Him with how we feel. It’s about understanding that when He calls us forward and we are weary, He does so because He knows coming is better for us than hanging back, even though that is what we want to do. We are not our own, and we have absolutely no right to dictate what we do or how we do it. When the Holy Spirit came on board, He took over rights as captain, and our lives should reflect that.

I’m asking that we each sit for a few moments (I really don’t think it will take long, if you’re anything like me), and think about all the areas that we make excuses for not obeying God. Think about all the things we do (or don’t do) that we know God has asked us not to do (or to do). Now, let’s really dig deep and look at why we disobey. We can blame others. We can blame weakness. We can place the blame in so many places, and yet when it comes down to it, it is a choice we are making. Others cannot make those choices for us. And we are no longer weak, having the Holy Spirit as our strength. It comes down to choice. We simply have to choose to obey - and not half-heartedly - He knows the difference! The moment we choose obedience, God will meet us in that place and give us all that we need to succeed.

I am making a pledge to start choosing obedience, to start existing for God. Won’t you join me? I know that it is so much harder than it sounds - it’s really a daily struggle, isn’t it? I know it is for me! So, let me know how it’s going with you. I am so encouraged when I hear of people who choose obedience and find their lives richer because of it, and I count it a blessing to pray for those who are struggling, just as I struggle. It is each of you that God uses in my life to urge me forward on this daily journey of faith, and for that, I thank you.