Our summer series got off to a great start Wednesday as we were reminded of the significance of the birth of Jesus. As we spend our summer seeing how lives were changed by encountering Him, we should acknowledge our walk with Jesus is not a once-a-week activity. It is a changed life. For many Christians, it is a struggle to translate the truths we talk about while we are together to the rest of our weeks living everyday life.In his book, Redeeming the Routines: Bringing Theology to Life, Robert Banks writes about how our walk with Jesus should affect “the regular situations we find ourselves in throughout the day or week, the ongoing responsibilities we have or activities we engage in, the issues that regularly claim our attention, the most insistent pressures that we feel, the things that we commonly think and talk about, the desires, values and beliefs that most shape our lives.” Banks describes six external pressures that surround and affect us; these pressures frequently lead to Christians not living Monday through Saturday the truths they know on Sunday. We should all be aware of them and not let them keep us from being salt and light.
- Busyness: Our schedules can get in the way of our study and prayer and other good things God has equipped us to do. Prioritize.
- Mobility: The ease of getting from place to place has made it more and more difficult for us to be still. Slow down and unplug sometimes.
- Debt: The desire to have can take away our ability to do good for others and replace that with worry. Money really won’t buy happiness.
- Conformity: Our culture will tell you there is a better way to live than what God asks of us. Remember who designed you.
- Security: We want so badly to be in control. God wants us to submit to Him.
- Regulation: There are rules about everything now. Regardless of those rules, we can continue following the greatest commands: love God and love people.
Even with pressures all around us God is with us, and He is enough.
– Brian
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-9)
I love reading scripture every morning before I start my day. It helps me to get Focus on the day and get my mind right with God every morning there’s nothing better to start your day then with the word of god and a good cup of coffee.