Moving Forward By Stepping Back

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity... 

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

~ Ecclesiastes 7:2-6,13

I am constantly giving the advice that even good things can get in the way of righteous living. I used to follow my own advice, but recently found myself under a big heap of "the things I'm doing aren't necessarily bad, but what they represent in my life are." 

Relationships are essential for healthy living. We were created to share our lives with others. But sometimes I can get so wrapped up in my relationships (boyfriend, best friend, mother, brother, etc.) that I lose sight of my most important relationship (Jesus). I care so deeply for all of the people in my life, that I become consumed with being everything I can for them. It is good that I care, but not so good to have my caring be the number one priority in my life.

My pastor made a great point about the nature of temptation this last Sunday, he said that it's not about choosing between what is good and what is bad, rather it's about choosing between what is good and what is better. And this is what makes it temptation, right? If it was something that was obviously and straight-forwardly bad, it would be simple to resist it outright (unless of course you were a sociopath). 

So, choosing to let go of certain relationships is not as simple as: boyfriend=bad and Jesus=good, it's more like: boyfriend=not necessarily bad, maybe kinda good and Jesus=better than what I can even imagine. 

Deception is effective because it is laced with some aspects of the truth. Temptation is effective because it is laced with aspects of good deeds or behaviors. The Enemy is tricky, he oftentimes uses good things (such as relationships) to slowly lead you into unrighteous living. 

Sometimes it requires taking a step back before you can take a meaningful step forward. It takes pain and heartbreak, but thats how the LORD uses us. Once we are broken He can put us back together the way He intended us to be. In the end the pain we feel while we are breaking and changing is nothing compared to the alternative, which is the anguish of a life without God.

When you find that you have slipped and have to backtrack, you can beat yourself up, thinking "really?! am I having to learn this lesson again?" But, that fight is meaningless unless out of it comes the conquest of finding out why it is you are a repeat offender.

What is it that you are seeking in those things that you should be seeking in God? Is it love? acceptance? security? pleasure? joy or happiness?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." ~Matthew 6:33