A few weeks ago, I wrote about coming to a crossroad in my walk with God and making a decision to go all the way. I had a burden – God was telling me that I had all the religious activities down, but there was more. I chose to step up my prayer and fasting game big time, and I am a little surprised at what I’ve experienced since then.
You see, one of the funny things about crossroads is that, for a while, you can still see the other route.
There’s still time to turn back. It’s not always hard to go in the right direction, but it’s a challenge to continue in the right direction. Then, you have to determine which is worse: the press it takes to obey the call on your life, or living with the guilt of complacency.
Silly me. I never thought that anything God told me to do would ever make me reluctant or unsure of myself. I thought that my willingness alone to yield to the Holy Spirit would activate supernatural powers.
I don’t know about anyone else, but this hasn’t been my experience. I actually thought all I had to do was say “yes” to God, and He would take over from there. I’m pretty sure I heard that preached before lol.
Under my breath, I say, “Lord I thought it wasn’t me who lived, but You in me (Galatians 2:20)?” Then the Spirit reminds me, “You forgot the beginning of the verse which says you were crucified with Christ”. Then I’m like oh okay, yeah.
Your Yes Requires Action
So, I gave up hopes of God “taking over” and came to terms with the fact that “yes” wasn’t enough – I had to do the work!
Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I don’t do anything in my own strength – I do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I just had things a little mixed up.
Remember in 1 Samuel 10:8-9 after Saul was anointed, the Spirit of God came over him and God gave him a new heart? That’s how I imagined this thing going. I thought God would just touch me and I’d literally become everything He wanted me to be. After all, I too have the Spirit of God living in me.
God has shown me that it’s not that easy – we have the authority and we have to use it! This process is teaching me how to tap into the power of God that is in me.
Learning how to cooperate and yield to the Holy Spirit is a must! If you, like me, have been doing things that you were able to do or comfortable in doing, this can be a real challenge. When God tells you to do something outside of that norm, you’re forced to use faith, discipline, and commitment.
Is the Joy Worth the Cost?
Now, there’s a war between your flesh and ego against the Spirit. This level of conflict reminds me of what I felt when I was trying to stop fornicating. I know we’re supposed to be moving forward and upward in the things of God, we strive to develop ourselves in Christ – but really, God?
“I just want to do my own thing over here, is that okay? I’ll serve in the church, I’ll give, and I’ll worship –but please let me stay over here in my bubble. Pleeaasse??”
God spoke to me and said, “All those times you asked for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding – did you think it would cost you nothing? Do you think I’d bless you with that and you wouldn’t have to share with my people?” Yep, I sure did ask You, God.
Complacency is an enemy of growth. We can never allow ourselves to think that we’re all together and there’s nothing else to learn, do, or achieve. Even Paul, who was imprisoned for the sake of the gospel says in Philippians 3:13 that he did not consider himself to have “arrived”.
Because of pride, it took me a long time to accept that I will always need more of God. I will never know enough about Him, hear enough of His voice, or have my fill of being in His presence. There is no finish line.
I believe that the closer you get to God, the more He reveals to you what you need to change or let go. I changed my perspective and now I thank God for showing me what I needed deliverance from and how I can grow stronger.
So, What’s The Play Call?
Take stock of your life and evaluate areas of complacency. Ask God to reveal what makes you complacent or why you may settle for mediocrity in your spiritual relationship with Him.
Don’t be too hard on yourself or fall for the deception of guilt! Get to the root of the matter, and kill it with the Word of God. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).
Do something different! Change up your routine with God and be spontaneous with Him. Talk to Him about any and everything, any and everywhere – but don’t just talk, listen! Allow Him to tell you what you need to do, how you can revamp your business or improve your marriage, or just whatever He wants to say. Maybe God just wants to say, “I love you, my son, my daughter.”
Prepare Him room!
God Bless
