The Spiritual Battle

How easy it is to get distracted by the things of the world! We live in this world, and we must engage with the world. When I say that it's easy to get distracted from the things of this world I mean how easy it is to become enslaved by the things of the world, and forgetting that as Christians we serve under a new master - Jesus Christ. Below is an exerpt from Eugene Peterson's "A long obedience", which I highly recommend.

We live in a similar slavery. True, we have, in Western countries, abolished the institutionalized forms of slavery and all but eliminated a servant class, but the experience of servitude is still amongst us and is as oppressive as ever. Freedom is on everyone's lips. Freedom is announced and celebrated. But not many feel or act free. Evidence? We live in a nation of complainers and a society of addicts. Everywhere we turn we hear complaints: I can't spend my money the way I want; I can't spend my time the way I want; I can't be myself; I'm under the control of others all the time. And everywhere we meet the addicts - addiction to alcohol and drugs, to compulsive work habits and to obsessive consumption. We trade masters; we stay enslaved.

The Christian is a person who recognizes that our real problem is not in achieving freedom but in learning service under a better master. The Christian realizes that every relationship that excludes God becomes oppressive. Recognizing and realizing that, we urgently want to live under the mastery of God.

(A Long Obedience in the same direction, Eugene Peterson, 2000, p65)

Wasn't that liberating to read? Of course, it is easier said than done. The reason why I wanted to write about this tonight is that today I had a prolonged episode of longing to be part of the secular world in order that I may avoid the pain that I know I must endure in following Christ. I realized how weak my faith is. Over the past week, I have experienced God deeper and fuller than ever before. Yet, a moment of weakness can have me longing to fill my heart with things in the secular world that seems to be making everyone else around me happy, shallow as they could be. I almost want to settle, because I don't want to wait upon the LORD, which is often a long process that requires patience, endurance, and long-suffering. I recognized then that there is definitely a spiritual battle going on inside my heart. The evil one does not want us to be loyal followers of Jesus. Our minds will be filled with thoughts of the world - Satan tempted the LORD the same way by offering the whole world to Jesus if he bowed down and worshiped Satan.

While in the midst of my racing thoughts today, I prayed for God to help me. I didn't want to slip away from Him. I want to stay focused on God - I want him to be the LORD of my life, always at the centre. Strangely, a while later a peace came over me and my heart was filled with joy. I remembered God's goodness. But most of all the peace and joy inside my heart reminded me that the LORD is good. Yes! See and taste that the LORD is good :) So I didn't experience anything eye-widening (like perhaps last week!) but I once again sensed God's faithful presence with me.

It is helpful to recount all the ways that God's been good to us in our lives. I spent just a few minutes meditating on God's goodness, and yes he has been nothing but good to me. Even when I've failed him a thousand (probably more!) times, he is still just good to me. This undeserving Grace he pours upon my life really humbles me. Thank you God!