This past week we ventured into 2 Samuel 11 and 12 as we started this 10 week series on Living a Life Under Control: Seeking a God Centered Life of Balance and Harmony.
In Day 1, we looked at a situation in David's life in which his life spun out of control within a short period of time. We realized that we can easily be plodding along when one decision can downward spiral into a series of poor choices. How a life filled with a lot of 'stuff' can lead us into saying, I will do this when? We realized that with God's direction and guidance we can begin a NEW chapter every day. Our sins are wiped clean and we can even start a diet in the middle of a bag of potato chips!
In Day 2, we saw that making a poor choice and taking an easier route can then have ramifications on future decisions placed in our path. We used the analogy of taking that extra 5 minutes of sleep in the morning and how that can affect other actions and choices throughout the day.
Day 3 took us to ponder on what we were putting in our minds, heart, and bodies in realtion to what was coming out. We saw that it was not in the first look that prompted David to call for Bathsheba, but in the second, more admiring look that began a web of lies and deception. That what we watch, listen to, and even spend our time with can affect our relationship to God and to sin.
A praise to note on this Saturday as we were headed to Des Moines for my daughters track meet, our first stop was the Handimart for a coffee. As I cruised by the magazine stand, I simply stated in my head, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' and I didn't have one urge to pick up a magazine! You will have to read Day 3 to appreciate this one.
We jumped on the hamster wheel of life in day 4 and realized that when we continue to do the same things over and over, we can not except different results. That it is not within OUR 'will power' to evoke change, but with the help of our Father we CAN change old, nasty, bad habits. When we are willingly to step off of the hamster wheel and make a different choice, we can experience a life filled with abundance and blessings.
Finally in day 5, we saw how carrying the weight of the world can literally cause our souls to dry up. That without the receiving of forgiveness, we continue to carry a heavy load of guilt and frustration for days and sometimes even years. When we are honest with ourselves and with God our slate is wiped clean and we CAN live a life under control once again.
From the life of David, we learned the even godly people experience times when their life spins out of control. However, we know that God offers forgiveness and a restored balance and harmony into our lives once again IF we are willingly to EARNESTLY seek and ask!
Please check in this next week to see what a life under Christ's control can look like for your life.
Blessings,
Jill
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