Generally, I know what I'm supposed to believe. Sometimes I just don't believe it. Most of the time I know what I'm supposed to do. Sometimes I just don't do it.
I hear this truth . . .
- People are a priority.
- The Lord is always with you.
- Reach out.
- Fear not.
Okay, I get it! There are all these things I need to do or not do! Just, tell me how, cos I've been feeling either too empty or too selfish to do those things.
I love this book, Praise Habit by David Crowder, because it's about what Rend Collective calls the art of celebration, of turning your heart to Jesus when things are good and things are not good. It's about putting on the habit of worship, in a monastic sense, and also about making worship a habit. It's not a book about "You should worship Jesus without ceasing." It's a book about how to worship Jesus without ceasing. It's not a list of how-to's, but it shows you what that looks like. It brings you into Crowder's own worship, and in sharing his heart he shows how to worship.
True confessions, I don't like reading the Psalms. I feel like they're a cheap high, like the words are too easy, the feelings too relatable. The Psalms make me feel like I'm deluding myself with a faith that is just feel-good theology. They don't challenge me, they comfort me, and for some reason I feel like comfort is a dessert I haven't earned. Like the Psalms are milk & honey and the rest of the books (especially the minor prophets!) are the meat.
But Crowder reminds me that's total crap.
And I need reminding!
Following Jesus is hard. It demands the sacrifice of everything. It means selfishness isn't an option. It means devotion and dedication of my life: soul, mind, heart, strength. And I'm like, how do I do that? I can't seem to do that?
But I forget that following Jesus is also easy. I focus too much on the "should do" instead of the "how to do". And how do we follow Jesus? By grace. And how do worship in spirit and truth? By grace. No wonder I get overwhelmed by the expensive, expensive cost of following Jesus. I'm not cut out for this; that's why I came to Jesus in the first place. That's why I need grace.
And how do I live by grace again?
Just as He saved us, He will show us.
1 comment:
Hayley, Your brutal honesty, I have probably said it before but I will say it again, I LOVE it! Please don't misunderstand, I hear the struggle, the desire, and maybe a little desperation.
If I may give a word or two of encouragement. You are His Beloved Child. The pouring out of Grace upon your life is fueled by His Great Love for you, his Beloved and treasured child. David, the psalmist uses the word, "Remember" actually it is scattered throughout the OT, "Remember." Remember that you are His Beloved. Love, CM
Post a Comment