From a Phase to a Lifestyle

Last night I was sharing with some of our student leaders about this “phase” I go through a couple of times of year.  I also told them that I wish that I did not have to repeat the phase but just live it all the time. So I want to encourage you to think about this “phase” for you and challenge you to make it a lifestyle of your heart.  That is what I am praying for me.

So what am I talking about?  Thanks for asking.

I am in a place or phase, spiritually where I feel an overwhelming sense that I can do nothing without God.  I know that sounds so basic, but honestly, it is easy for me not to live that way.  It is easy for me to “do stuff” and even do some of it well in the eyes of the world.  The problem is that going through the motions and doing something well does not mean that there will be any spiritual power in it.

Here is a reality: You and I need the Kingdom of God to come in our lives all the time.   I am NOT talking about experiencing the saving grace of Jesus over and over.  I believe He redeems/saves us once for eternity.  But, I also believe that in our broken world we are prone to get off track from living for the glory of Jesus.  We waste time.  We waste money. We have wrong thoughts.  We hold grudges. We act selfishly. We say stupid things. We make bad decisions. We sin.  So, we need the Kingdom (the rule of Jesus over everything and our submission to Him in everything) to come in all of those areas.

Here is another reality:  There is one way for the Kingdom to come in our lives.  We don’t work it up or manipulate it.  We don’t program it or do impressive things to get the Kingdom.  We beg for it.  We cry for it.  We put the brokenness of our lives on the table and from the depths of who we are ask God to take it over.  When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, one of the first things He said was “say this…Your Kingdom come.” (Luke 11:2).  In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”   The Kingdom comes when our broken, bankrupt, surrendered, needy hearts, understand that there is nothing of any spiritual value possible with out Jesus and in genuine humility, we get down and BEG God for the Kingdom to come.

I really love that sense of neediness before God.  I don’t want it to be a phase I go through for a week or two.  I want to live like that all the time.  So I am inviting you to join me in becoming a life-long beggar for the Kingdom.   Don’t let it be phase.  Make it a lifestyle of your heart.

Desperate,

Doug