God - My Government

Before you get all riled up thinking I’m going to make some kind of political statement…I’m not.

Pretty much all we’ve heard about these last few months have been bail out, bail out, bail out. Maybe it’s some sort of weird trickle-down effect; or perhaps its just coincidence. The reality though—at least, my reality—is I’ve been utilizing the same mindset…and quite embarrassed about, thank you very much.

I caught myself the other morning during my prayer time (commuting to work, which is a common time for me) praying to God and asking for a bail out. Then I reflected on all my prayers as of late and...you guessed it…they’ve almost all been some sort of request for a bail out.

Don’t get me wrong. God doesn’t mind us asking things for ourselves, nor does He mind us speaking our mind (as if He didn’t know it already); but there clearly must be a balance of attributes within our prayers. Not that God mandates it that way…but because it is a reflection of what’s going on inside ourselves.

I believe there should be just as much praising as pleading; as much worshipping as whining; as much petitioning for other people as praying for our own needs. To me, this is a manifestation of where we are spiritually. It really saddens me that I have succumbed to using God as the easy way out. He may be snickering at my lack of maturity, but this newfound realization has me troubled. Now that I’ve faced this truth, however, I intend to be more conscientious about what, who, why my prayers are all about. Will I keep speaking my mind to God…every day. Will I still get frustrated and yell at Him….without a doubt. Will I think twice before asking Him for a bail out…most certainly.

God really is my government. Try as I might to self-govern…I know where that road leads. Before asking for that next bail out, I will place my trust in Him that He knows much better than I and will try to be patient for the outcome.

Greg Morton
© December 12, 2008

Selfishness

Have you ever wondered if selfishness can be a good thing? The truth is, we are all allowed one moment of selfishness in our lives…but only one.

At the point of turning our lives over to Jesus Christ we are given that opportunity. In fact, the process demands it. We must say “I am a sinner; I need a Lord and Savior; I acknowledge my unworthiness; I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and I accept this free gift God has so graciously offered me.” This act of acceptance not only is—but must be—an act of selfishness. At that very moment it’s “all about me”. Not wanting eternal separation from God and wanting all the riches He promises is a God-given selfishness. That’s just the way it is.

Once that first step has been taken, however, the agenda changes just as much as our lives. From that moment forward we shift from selfishness to becoming Christ-like.

Perhaps many of you remember Newton’s Third Law of Relativity: For every action there is an equal, and opposite, reaction. This couldn’t be better exampled than with the salvation process. Just as much as we needed to be selfish in order to accept the gift of salvation, Jesus Christ was just as much selfless in order to provide that salvation.

The first step, as designed by God, is a selfish one. The second, third, fourth…every step we take thereafter until the end of our days should now be filled with new goals in mind: selflessness, love and compassion.

Now…allow someone else the chance to take that one moment of selfishness. Help lead them into the wonderful world of “living by God’s design” by guiding them through this process. God expects that from us just as we should expect that from ourselves.

Greg Morton
© December 8, 2008