Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

A Meager Existence

Have you ever had a thought that rather than simply passing through your mind, sets up camp in your brain? The thought, though nothing more than a thought at first, expands and grows and the more you think about it the bigger it gets. Finally your mind almost bursting, you know you have to do something with this thought! So here is my mindburst----For several weeks now, I have been thinking about this idea of eking out a meager existence. I know that in physical, worldly terms we think of the man working several jobs just to provide the very basic needs for his family. We think about the elderly woman taking in ironing, not because she likes to iron, but because her medication takes all her retirement and ironing pays for her food and utilities. We think of the single mom who goes without so that her children will not. We think about those in third world countries who eat in year what we eat in a month.The sad part about these situations is that usually the circumstances are not chosen but rather thrust upon the individual. We have compassion for those whose daily existence is hard won, who by every day, all day, sweat and tears and much elbow grease are able to provide the barest of necessities. They learn to make do and get by, not by choice but out of need. And get by they do, but barely. These stories cause us to empathize and the details sadden our hearts.
We cannot imagine anyone choosing to eke out such a meager existence. And yet, isn't that exactly what many of us do? God desires to bless us in abundance, to help us grow strong enough to face whatever satan and his world throws at us. God wants to comfort us, guide us and provide for us. He wants to bless His children with all He has to offer. And yet, we opt to decline His offer.
I don't believe we are sinning when we have friends who are worldly. But, if they are the only friends we have, if we choose to "fellowship" with them rather than God's people, we are denying God a chance to bless us. He says that His children are those who love one another, are those whose words are edifying and uplifting, are those who bear one anothers burdens. God's children are our companions on this life journey toward heaven. We share the same eternal destiny, the same purpose, the same mind and the same object of our affection ---that is Jesus Christ. The journey, the walk in the light, is so much less difficult when we are walking with those who share our faith. To choose only friends in the world is to live below our privilege and we start existing rather than living.
And I do not believe that missing Sunday services together or Wednesday night classes will send us to hell. But I do believe when we choose every other activity, every single week, we are robbing ourselves of one of God's greatest blessings--the fellowship and encouragement of the Body. There are those in the church, my brothers and sisters, who are much stronger, much wiser, much more spiritual than I. These family members can help instruct and teach me so that I can grow. They feed my spirit and nourish my soul and they help me mature and stay strong. Refusing time with them contributes to my spiritual malnourishment. Just as filling our stomachs with junk food lessens our resistance to germs and impedes our growth, so filling our hearts with all that the world has to offer lessens our resistance to sin and impedes our growth. An occasional nutritious meal is just not enough, physically or spiritually.
Likewise, there is nothing wrong with having things. We all like nice cars and nice houses and nice clothes. We all recognize that these things are not free and in order to get them, we must work. We also know that in order to maintain them, we must continue to work. And so we are busy working. Don't get me wrong, work is good. God commands us to work. However He also admonishes us to not get so caught up in things that we forget the important stuff. He reminds us several times that it is not the earthly carnal things that save us but the spiritual heavenly things. Those things are eternal and incorruptible, indestructible. Our focus should be on storing up spiritual treasures.
I believe we as Christians, should take care of our bodies. We should exercise and eat right. We should remain healthy. But not so we can look good in designer clothes or so we can outrun the 20 year olds or so we can pretend to hold on to our youth. We should take care of ourselves so that we can work for the Lord, so that we can go, teach, make disciples without having to take a nap, without having to lie down and rest for an hour after each bible study. We should take care of ourselves so that as long as God gives us life, we can be useful in bringing souls to Him.
We have the Word of God that helps us, guides us and corrects us. It is important to read it. Over the years I have seen numerous little tools designed to help Christians get back in the Word. It isn't important which one we use, only that we get into the Word. We cannot gain the wisdom and knowledge needed to remain spiritually strong unless we spend time listening to God. Spending time with God also requires talking to Him. He is our Lord, our Savior, our Bridegroom and in order to have a relationship with Him, we must communicate with Him more than once a day at bedtime and twice on Sundays. He wants to talk with us!!!!
We short-change ourselves in so many areas of our Christian walk. When we could be thriving, we instead eke out a meager spiritual existence. This should not be! It is not what our Father wants, and it is not really what we want either. Don't we want to partake of all of His blessings? Don't we want to live lives overwhelmed by the love of God, compelled to teach, hungry to learn and eager to accept the glorious and rich life He has in mind for us? Don't we want to thrive rather than simply exist? Just imagine what thriving spiritually would like, imagine what blessings would flood your life and what peace would fill your soul. God never meant for us to have a meager existence but rather abundant life. Its there for the taking--all we have to do is ask!

Peace
Neva

24 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are so right, this is not what God intended. Great post, sister

Dan

5:24 PM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Neva you have done it again, excellent post. Thank you for reminding us ministers that we have a job to do and that is feed the flock upon the word of God, making it applicable to everyday life.
The Lord wants us to read and study the word outside of Church as well. I believe this would be the workout we need as Christians. We need to feast upon it daily. We also have a responsablity as parenets according to Duet 6 to teach our children at home about the word and God.
We must rest.
We must grow in our relationship with God and mature in our faith. We can't like you mentioned stay in our 20's forever, nor would it look normal. I know if my so wasn't growing I would take him to the doctor to see what was wrong with him. What about our spiritual lives? Are we growing? If not why not? Are we going to the great physian to see what the problem is and deal with it? Being honest?
Neva great post sister.
Keep up the wonderful posts.
Keep us thinking and challenging us in our faith and relationship with God. God bless you sister!

9:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Neva. Thank you

Corinne

10:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My dear friend,
You have touched my heart with this post. I am sad to say that I am one of those living below my privelege. I do not do the things I need to and in doing so am not receiveing all that God has in store for me. What a horrible thing to not accept blessings from the one who loves me so much. I see others who have smooth lives and who seem to be getting so much more than others (me) and now I think it might be that I am not letting God bless me. I have learned a lot from you today. You are a very gifted teacher.
Love
Carol

11:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent post, add some scriptures and it could preach.

Carlos

1:14 AM  
Blogger Candle (C & L) said...

Neva - You have such a great way of pouring out your faith and challenging others to"live it".

As oneof the commenters said -- "itcould preach" -- I'm doing aseries on worship and assemblies - Sunday evening class and with your permission I would like to adapt this material for that class.

God Bless Charlie

p.s Glad you've survived the move --looking forward to more stories of Nebraska -- is it Texas "north" or was Texas "Nebraska south"?

7:17 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

Morning Neva,
I hope you have a great day. :-)

7:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! You constantly amaze me with your ability to make God's word practical. I would love to sit and have coffee with you and just listen to you teach. I know I would be blessed.

Pat

8:09 AM  
Blogger Stacie said...

Neva,
Great post!
The big word the day was:
Admonishes
Love Ya,
Stacie

9:38 AM  
Blogger Kathy said...

As has been said, beautiful post, dear Neva. I see only one caveat in this magnificent piece.

You mention if all our friendships and relationships are outside the Body of Christ, how that can mal-nourish our souls. May I suggest that if all our relationships are within the Body, we also are neglecting God's call for us to seek and teach the lost; sharing God's saving grace with them.
I guess the word here would be, Balance. We need to balance our "inside" relationships, which help us mature in God and gives us spiritual strength, with our 'outside' friendships. We gather strength from within the Body in order to have the stamina needed to reach outside the Body.

You're right on the mark about studying His Word and time in prayer with Him.

Another great post from you, dear friend. It looks as though your muse followed you back to Nebraska. :) And we are blessed as a result!!

In His love, grace and mercy

Kathy

10:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kathy, I think that is why Neva put "only" worldly friends. WE all believe that evil companions corrupt good morals. But you are right, we have to balance our evangelism with our christian fellowship.
Good thoughts today, sister
Interested Bystander

10:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am so glad that "thought" didn't leave. It was worth the effort. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Mary

11:30 AM  
Blogger Betty said...

Neva.I read your post this morning and so agree with you,Thank you sovary much for the love and guidance you have shone my daughter Stacie May you be blessed in your new home. God be with you in all you do Your Sister in Christ. Betty H.

11:47 AM  
Blogger ThreeGirlyGirls said...

This was really good! We do rob ourselves each time we skip out on our time with God in his fellowship! Great thoughts!!

2:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to take hold of every blessing God chooses to bestow on me. Thank you for reminding me that my actions affect how much I am blessed

Lyndsay

10:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to take hold of every blessing God chooses to bestow on me. Thank you for reminding me that my actions affect how much I am blessed

Lyndsay

10:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen, Neva!


Dean

12:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is 'eke' one of Dan's secret words?

I really like the way you put the need/ our desire to be with God and those who love him. Enjoyed it!

love ya
:)

12:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are a super talented writer an very obviously a woman of faith. I am enjoying your blog very much. I plan to keep reading.

In Christian love
Annika

1:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

May the Lord continue to bless you, sweet Sister! I love stopping by here! I am always refreshed by your practical biblicial insights! Thank you!
Scotti

6:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahhh yes.
Living quiet, little lives of spiritual desperation.

Thanks for the post. Everyone else already took the good superlatives.

9:37 AM  
Blogger Mommysmart said...

Neva,

I have started so many posts where I wanted to say a lot of what you just said SO WELL! I do believe that christians fail to see the gift of church. Church is that group of people who can hold our hands in worship and remind us that we are all in this together. I love this post, it was beautiful.

Monica

11:57 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

For starters, I wanted to say sorry for missing your aniv. I must have missed that post. I've been trying to spend a little time in each of my Favorite blogs this week. I needed to catch up a bit.

What discipleship your posts are.

5:12 AM  
Blogger Neva said...

Charlie, anything you find on my site is for the sharing. I am honored that you feel it is worth it.

Thank you, my brother
neva

4:38 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home