Choose The Lord
Don’t you want to live life as you should? For life to be fresh and vital?
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and that’s exactly what Leslie wrote to me recently about. She’s a Christian and she wants her Christian life to count; to feel like it’s worthwhile; that she’s pleasing her Savior. But it’s hard. This is what Leslie wrote me; she said: “My day begins with a devotion, a time of listening to music, reading through the Bible, and a time of what is really distracted, shallow prayer. Then I get dressed. And God goes in a box. God gets tucked in my back pocket and he rarely crosses my mind until evening. The demands and distractions and appointments of the day take priority. So, Joni, here’s the question – how do I get over that? I want my life to look differently. I want it to be more vital. I want my life to be alive in Christ. It’s very possible that I’m not making choices of a mature believer. I love to lounge back and play apps, and watch a movie or FaceTime my friends. What does your day look like? Do you have any tips for me?” Well.
Oh, those are great questions and I can’t say I’ve got all the answers, but Leslie, first, I’m glad you’re being honest. I’m grateful that you want your life “to look differently…to be more vital,” as you put it. ’Cause right there shows your heart’s desire, and that’s the most important part of change. Every morning I get up and ask God to help me get actively engaged – “Come on, Jesus! Get me engaged in my own transformation to be like you.” It’s a fight; but as the Bible says, it’s a “good fight.” It means saying “no” to lounging back, playing apps, hanging out on Facebook, watching movies, and it means saying “yes” to pursuing a friendship with God. And what does that mean? Well, for me, it means developing spiritual disciplines, like memorizing scripture, committing a good portion of your day to serve others in need, and praying or reading Christian books that lift the soul and strengthen your faith. Most of all, it’s a constant throughout-the-day communion with the Spirit of Jesus, asking him to keep your eyes open to needs; asking for help to refrain from anger or selfishness; and asking God’s help to convict me when my heart becomes dulled by mundane, trivial things. I mean, honestly, Leslie – I mean, for instance, there’s just some music – albeit good – that I simply cannot listen to; it dulls my spirit. I cannot binge–watch TV; again, it dulls my spirit. I simply cannot allow grudges to persist or build up; once more, it dulls my spirit. These are all hard choices to make. And I make them constantly throughout the day. But it boils down to what you really prefer in life.
And, Leslie, you asked about my day, and I’ve pretty much just described it. I gotta live this way, because I do not want to get to heaven and look back on earth, and think, “Man, why did I waste it all?” I don’t want to get to heaven, see the minimal impact of my prayers, and my giving, and witnessing about Jesus and think, “Why didn’t I pray more? Why didn’t I give more or witness more?” So, it’s all a matter of preference. And listening friend, I would say the same to you. No one can serve two masters, the Bible says. So, which do you desire more? If it’s wanting more of Jesus, are you willing to fight the good fight throughout the day as you run the race? Will you prefer, will you choose the Lord throughout your day? I hope you will. And if you need help doing it, let us pray for you at Joni and Friends. Our staff meets every morning to lift up your prayer requests, so tell us your prayer needs at joniradio.org. Again, that’s joniradio.org where we share hope through every hardship. God bless you today and thanks for listening to “Joni and Friends.”
© Joni and Friends
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Finding God in Hidden Places
Joni invites you to join her as she explores the presence of a holy God in hidden places.
Words of encouragement, comfort, and insight leave the soul satisfied and longing to be closer to a loving Father, who often shows up when least expected.
