I'm blessed to have relationships with many godly men and women as clients, friends and mentors. Here are some snippets of things going through my mind lately- most of which had been gleaned from conversations with these people. Marriage/relationship advice: don't read books on your needs or love languages which tend to focus your mind on how your spouse is falling short in those areas. Instead, concentrate on loving God and how your relationship with your spouse or friend is an outpouring of your desire to serve God.
Drifting: The dangers in the Christian life are not usually the sinful behaviors we know are wrong and repentant about- lust, pride, greed, deceit, selfishness. The chief danger in the Christian life is usually related to drifting away. Hebrews 2:1, "We must pay careful attention, therefore to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Good things in life become idols- basketball, golf, the pursuit of money, family, vacations, friendships. These things must always be viewed as resources to honor Christ and not ultimate pursuits.
Contentment: the mature person is grateful every day. Much of the world spends their time, money and energy pursuing clean water and food. Anyone reading this is blessed beyond measure and needs to be reminded daily how merciful God is to us. We deserve God's wrath. He has poured out mercy upon us. We are called to be a funnel for His mercy. A comical reminder that we live in an amazing time.
Fundamentals: we never outgrow the need to practice the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Every day we must stay on the path towards God- prayer; studying the Word; encouraging each other with truth; serving others. Without the daily practice of these disciplines we drift. Psalms 1:1-2, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night."
Without this meditation, we start by walking in the counsel of the wicked. Then we stand and stay awhile. The final progression is pitching our tent near Sodom and sitting down with the mockers. Only a holding on to Jesus daily will prevent our hearts from growing cold and finding comfort in the pleasures of sin.
Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus,
Ashley Hodge
