The things by which we seek to measure ourselves really can offer no substantial measurement over our lives at all. All of our adding up, sizing up, looking down and comparing can provide no significant information to our minds. The information that is provided is shallow, hollow, and otherwise faulty for guiding us along any path towards Truth. Why, then, do we find it so natural to make self-assessments by comparing our lives to others? Why do we play this mix-and-match mind game where we pick apart aspects of people’s lives and categorize them as things we would take as our own and things in which our current prospects triumph over theirs? Do we really deem it healthy to constantly dwell in this realm of comparison?
I think our tendencies in this area show us that we are far too willing to peer through our deceitful fleshly eyes. We are comfortable seeing as the world sees because the world has raised us and the world knows us. To step into momentary discomfort, however, would afford us an opportunity to see through the divine lens that God offers to us once we claim Him as ours. This lens, were we willing to trust it, could grace us with a peace and contentment that God desires us to experience. We may begin to see people for their hearts before we see them for their bodies, or clothes, or wealth status, or position of authority. We may be more likely to treat every human being as an equal; as a man or woman created by the power of God and in the very image of God. We may stop wandering outside of ourselves for something better, or longing for that which is not and can never be ours.
The more I reflect, the more I realize that these divine eyes are exactly what I need; eyes that filter my judgments before they have a chance to reach my mind and, in turn, my heart, thus destroying any opportunity for purity, love, and holiness to reign. After all, that is what we are seeking, isn’t it?
Purity, love, and holiness in every aspect of our lives.
Or have we gotten lazy?
Have we turned to settling?
Have we become okay with working with God only when it is easy, or convenient?
Have we forgotten the intense calling of Christ and the bearing it has over our lives?
Have we shirked our God-given responsibilities; set them off for a more self-suitable time?
I think I have. And do. Every day. I am in the habit of settling with flesh.
Flesh eyes, flesh ears, flesh mouth, flesh hands, flesh feet and flesh heart.
Little by little, the Spirit that I accepted as a promise of sweet salvation is sent, breath-held and uptight, to the edges of my life where it will no longer nuisance me about the fleeting comforts which I embrace as though I believed they were eternal. The Words of God, the life of God, the hope of God… all are pushed to the rim of my cup as I let worldly amenities cater to my constant desires. And it is this that I am sorry for. It is this reality that will rag on my heart, night after night, until I am willing to make changes… until I am willing to set down my vision of judgment, my acceptance of sin, and my loose intentions to serve Christ… until I forfeit flesh to the point of hearing her silenced.
Only then, will God reign in my life. Only then, will my divine eyes scour the earth, as God's do, looking for those with hearts fertile to hear His Word. Only then, will my voice fail to waiver as I share the very Truth that God has bestowed in my life.
I look forward to that victorious sensation… that moment where I can again say that I am right with God and I am right where God wants me.
What could offer more fulfillment than this?
