God's Intention
God's Intention
We all carry tension in our lives. It's an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for those striving to live a life of faith in a complex world. But what if the very tension we're trying to escape is actually holding us back from experiencing the fullness of God's intention for our lives?
Consider this profound truth: There are two types of pain in this world - the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline may weigh ounces, but regret weighs tons. If we're not willing to carry the weight of discipline, we'll ultimately be crushed by the weight of regret.
This concept becomes strikingly clear when we look at the lives of biblical figures. Take David, for instance. Chosen by God at a young age to be king, David's story is one of both triumph and tragedy. Despite his anointing and close relationship with God, David fell into grievous sin - adultery and murder. How could someone so blessed by God fall so far?
The answer lies in the tension David carried throughout his life. Rejected by his family as a young man and left alone in the fields, David likely developed attachment issues that made him vulnerable. Years of hiding in caves, running from those who sought to kill him, may have numbed him to the gravity of taking a life. These experiences, these tensions from his past, became like ropes binding him, influencing his choices even as he sat on the throne.
David's story is not unique. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men and women who became entangled in their own tension:
Each of these individuals carried the weight of their past, the tension of their struggles, even as they encountered the transformative power of God. And if we're honest, we often do the same.
We may have experienced freedom in Christ, as John 8:36 promises: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Yet, how many of us still carry the ropes of our past, just in case? We've learned to "let go," but we walk around with the strings still attached, crying out when someone touches our wounds.
In our quest for healing and growth, we've often turned to modern solutions that promise quick relief. We seek counseling with the goal of "feeling better" instead of "becoming better." We practice self-care, take deep breaths, and set boundaries. While these practices can be helpful, they're not the ultimate solution. We've become so accustomed to coping with our sin that we mistake struggling for failure.
But here's a revolutionary thought: The struggle isn't the problem. It's avoiding the struggle that's the problem.
We've embraced a culture that tells us to walk away from anything that drains us, to cut off anyone who doesn't respect us. But if we can't change our capacity, we'll always need a boundary to feel safe. The truth is, our relationship with discomfort needs to change. We're not growing if we're constantly running from anything that stretches us.
This easy believism, this doctrine of comfort, is not what the Bible teaches. The purpose of God's Word isn't just to make us feel loved (though God's love is certainly a central theme). It's a call to repentance, to prepare the way of the Lord, to make His paths straight (Matthew 3:2-3).
Jesus didn't come merely to affirm us or help us manage the strings of our past. He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. As Luke 19:10 declares, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
We must remember the profound truth of Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is the heart of the gospel - not that we were worthy, but that in our unworthiness, God reached out to us.
So, what's the solution? How do we break free from the tension that binds us and step into God's intention for our lives?
We must go back to the cross. We must give Him the strings.
It's time to stop trying to manage everything on our own. It's time to develop the grit to handle life's challenges, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. We need to embrace the call to holiness, as 1 Peter 1:16 exhorts us: "Be holy, because I am holy."
This journey won't be easy. It will require discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to face our discomfort head-on. But the freedom waiting on the other side - the joy of living fully in God's intention for our lives - is worth every ounce of effort.
Today, let's make a choice. Let's choose to no longer be bound by the tension of our past. Let's embrace the discipline of following Christ wholeheartedly, knowing that as we do, we'll experience the true freedom and abundant life He promises.
Are you ready to let go of the strings? Are you prepared to step into the fullness of God's intention for your life? The choice is yours. The cross awaits. Freedom beckons. Will you answer the call?
We all carry tension in our lives. It's an inevitable part of the human experience, especially for those striving to live a life of faith in a complex world. But what if the very tension we're trying to escape is actually holding us back from experiencing the fullness of God's intention for our lives?
Consider this profound truth: There are two types of pain in this world - the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Discipline may weigh ounces, but regret weighs tons. If we're not willing to carry the weight of discipline, we'll ultimately be crushed by the weight of regret.
This concept becomes strikingly clear when we look at the lives of biblical figures. Take David, for instance. Chosen by God at a young age to be king, David's story is one of both triumph and tragedy. Despite his anointing and close relationship with God, David fell into grievous sin - adultery and murder. How could someone so blessed by God fall so far?
The answer lies in the tension David carried throughout his life. Rejected by his family as a young man and left alone in the fields, David likely developed attachment issues that made him vulnerable. Years of hiding in caves, running from those who sought to kill him, may have numbed him to the gravity of taking a life. These experiences, these tensions from his past, became like ropes binding him, influencing his choices even as he sat on the throne.
David's story is not unique. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men and women who became entangled in their own tension:
- The woman thrown at Jesus' feet, caught in adultery (John 8)
- Jonah, running from God's call and endangering others (Jonah 1)
- Ananias and Sapphira, caught in a web of lies (Acts 5)
- Judas, who walked with Jesus but ultimately betrayed Him (Mark 14)
Each of these individuals carried the weight of their past, the tension of their struggles, even as they encountered the transformative power of God. And if we're honest, we often do the same.
We may have experienced freedom in Christ, as John 8:36 promises: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Yet, how many of us still carry the ropes of our past, just in case? We've learned to "let go," but we walk around with the strings still attached, crying out when someone touches our wounds.
In our quest for healing and growth, we've often turned to modern solutions that promise quick relief. We seek counseling with the goal of "feeling better" instead of "becoming better." We practice self-care, take deep breaths, and set boundaries. While these practices can be helpful, they're not the ultimate solution. We've become so accustomed to coping with our sin that we mistake struggling for failure.
But here's a revolutionary thought: The struggle isn't the problem. It's avoiding the struggle that's the problem.
We've embraced a culture that tells us to walk away from anything that drains us, to cut off anyone who doesn't respect us. But if we can't change our capacity, we'll always need a boundary to feel safe. The truth is, our relationship with discomfort needs to change. We're not growing if we're constantly running from anything that stretches us.
This easy believism, this doctrine of comfort, is not what the Bible teaches. The purpose of God's Word isn't just to make us feel loved (though God's love is certainly a central theme). It's a call to repentance, to prepare the way of the Lord, to make His paths straight (Matthew 3:2-3).
Jesus didn't come merely to affirm us or help us manage the strings of our past. He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. As Luke 19:10 declares, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
We must remember the profound truth of Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is the heart of the gospel - not that we were worthy, but that in our unworthiness, God reached out to us.
So, what's the solution? How do we break free from the tension that binds us and step into God's intention for our lives?
We must go back to the cross. We must give Him the strings.
It's time to stop trying to manage everything on our own. It's time to develop the grit to handle life's challenges, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. We need to embrace the call to holiness, as 1 Peter 1:16 exhorts us: "Be holy, because I am holy."
This journey won't be easy. It will require discipline, sacrifice, and a willingness to face our discomfort head-on. But the freedom waiting on the other side - the joy of living fully in God's intention for our lives - is worth every ounce of effort.
Today, let's make a choice. Let's choose to no longer be bound by the tension of our past. Let's embrace the discipline of following Christ wholeheartedly, knowing that as we do, we'll experience the true freedom and abundant life He promises.
Are you ready to let go of the strings? Are you prepared to step into the fullness of God's intention for your life? The choice is yours. The cross awaits. Freedom beckons. Will you answer the call?
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