Getting unstuck…
I’ll admit it…..
I get bogged down easily. Sometimes, way too easily. If you know the 4 personality types and you know me, you’ll know that I have lots of phlegmatic (easy going) and some perfectionist melancholy. Here’s the thing, though….when things don’t go my way, when I get off track, when I lose focus on God…I can get down on myself. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s true. Not only that, but in those moments, I find it hard to find my way back to the Light. God seems far off, and it’s a long road back.
My brother and sister are kind of different, I think. Amy can get so driven on something that no setback will deter her. If Jake has the right “carrot” in front of him, he will bust through whatever he needs to. I don’t think either of them has any melancholy, lol!
There’s this song from some years back by a band called Incubus called “Privilege.” Some of their songs were ok and some were less than impressive, but this song especially for me, seemed to describe what I felt. The first line of it went like this:
“Isn’t it strange that a gift could be an enemy? Isn’t it weird that a privilege could feel like a chore?”
That captured it. I, a human being (hey individual!!), had the opportunity to come before God Almighty, the Creator of Everything, the Giver of Life, the Provider of my Salvation. Through grace and mercy (the “gift”, the “privilege”) I was able to come to His throne, boldly, and get things right with Him. Yet….that could still feel like a chore? Yet, getting up 15 minutes early in the morning and spending time in His word could feel like a chore?
Yes, yes…that is “strange” and “weird.” But it’s true for me sometimes.
And then, I realize, it is a lie. It is a lie from the real Enemy who doesn’t want to see me reconciled with my Father. I agree with the song as the next line says “maybe it’s me, but this line isn’t going anywhere.” Once I correctly see the line the Enemy is feeding me, it is rejected and I choose God.
The chorus of the song (where it rocks) goes like this:
“I see you in line, dragging your feet. You have my sympathy. The day you were born, you were born free. That is your privilege!”
Exactly!! I’m free! The day I was born again under His grace, I was “born free!” That is my privilege. I don’t have to wait around or do anything to earn His grace. I am not reconciled by my works (THANKFULLY!!!). I just need to come the Cross. I need to get past the lies and repent. I need to realize the Freedom He has already provided. That is my privilege!
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be FREE indeed.” –John 8:36
“Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us FREE, and do not be entangled again in a yoke of bondage.” –Galatians 5:1
“He (God) has sent Me (Jesus) to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim FREEDOM for the captive” —Luke 4:18 (amazing verse!)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.”
1 Corinthians 3:17
Do you get the point? Do I get the point?
When I seem far off, when God seems distant…that is a lie. That is the Enemy trying to break up the fellowship. And that line isn’t going anywhere. The day I was born again, I was born FREE!
That is good news.
No, that is great news!
Hebrews 4:15-16
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldy to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Don’t wait in line. Don’t hold back. Don’t let guilt or regret way you down.
Don’t wait.
Go boldy to the throne of Amazing Grace, and you will obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need.
Amen!
Thoughts, comments, and insights always appreciated.
Thanks for reading.
Walking towards the Light from the cross of a King 