Seeking Direction: Toward

Monday, September 26, 2011 Posted by Debbie Legg

Some days it’s roadblock after roadblock. I want to follow the Lord, do His will, love my neighbor and my kids, fight the good fight, and run the race as if to win. It never seems to happen. There is always something in the way, something that keeps me from really following, really loving, really serving, really trying. Oftentimes, that something is Me.

Me as in old habits I struggle to overcome. Distractions that are far more fun. Comfort food. Retail therapy. Vegging out with the boob tube. Surfing the Net. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. (Romans 7:21-23 NLT)

Most days I’m tired of struggling against what I don’t want to do, who I don’t want to be.

Recently I heard this: “If we are going to struggle with something, why don’t we struggle TOWARD something, toward being more and more Christ-like rather than against old habits that are no longer who we are? Why don’t we shift the same amount of energy into becoming more and more full of the fruit of the spirit rather than trying to battle defensively against who we used to be, that we are no longer?” (Brian Hardin, Daily Audio Bible podcast 9-10-11, emphasis added)

That was a direction-changer for me, a roadblock demolisher. If I concentrate on Jesus, on holiness and listening and growing, then my desire for the old ways will look far less attractive.

Not that it won’t still be a struggle, it will just be a struggle TOWARD rather than AGAINST. Isn’t that always the more productive, more worthwhile, more successful struggle?

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”