The past two months I have been reading a book called “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis that has been both captivating and enjoyable. Although there are many interesting sections to discuss, there is one specific area related to thrills that I would like to share with you. I have already shared this with the inmates at the Greensboro Jail, our Homebuilder’s Sunday School Class at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, the Winston-Salem Warthog players at Ernie Shore Field and will even be preaching a sermon on it in early August at the Contemporary Service at FABC. With that said, I pray this is something that will register with the readers of this newsletter.
Let me start by asking you what it is that gets you excited in life? What is considered a thrill that gets your blood pumping? Perhaps it is the idea of flying an airplane or visiting an exotic vacation destination for the first time. The question posed to you is how long will that thrill last? It very well could be for a short or long period of time but not for a lifetime. Eventually you will be chasing another thrill or trying to extend an existing one.
In “Mere Christianity” C.S. Lewis shares this regarding thrills:
“It is simply no good trying to keep any thrill: that is the very worst thing you can do. Let the thrill go – let it die away – go on through that period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow – and you will find you are living in a world of new thrills all the time. But if you decide to make thrills your regular diet and try to prolong them artificially, they will all get weaker and weaker, and fewer and fewer, and you will be a bored disillusioned old man for the rest of your life. It is because so few people understand this that you find many middle-aged men and women maundering about their lost youth, at the very age when new horizons ought to be appearing and new doors opening all round them.”
As I move forward in my life at 32 years of age, I want to find myself encountering new horizons and new doors that are opening as I enjoy the different stages of my life. As I reflect on Psalm 40:8 that says “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is written within my heart,” I want to not only follow God’s will but delight in following it. May everyday be exciting, adventurous and full of God’s spirit as I pursue to fulfill His purpose for my very existence.
In closing, I hope your ultimate thrill is following God’s will for your life. The hardest thing just might be letting go and letting God. Can you imagine a thrill that doesn’t fade away and goes beyond this earthly life? It is here for the taking if we just submit ourselves to God and speak the words of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane “not as I will but as You will.”
Your Brother in Christ,
Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40
"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"
Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Why Should External Factors Affect an Internal Relationship?
Imagine for a moment sitting on the bank of a river with your bare feet in the cool water. The sun is shining brightly as you can feel its warm rays upon your face. The breeze is gently blowing just enough to rustle through the trees planted next to the river. You can hear the birds chirping as they chase each other in the blue filled sky and you can smell the flowers that are blooming around you in the middle of Spring. I wonder if visualizing this is making you feel relaxed? I wonder if this type of environment could provide you with an inner peace if it is only for a mere second.
What do you suppose would happen if a big Brown Bear rumbled down the river towards you? I bet you wouldn’t feel quite as relaxed. Maybe you might experience a little anxiety or perhaps be overcome with fear. This is an example of how an external factor can affect an external relationship with your surrounding environment.
When we take a close look at the internal relationship we have the awesome opportunity to share with Christ, external factors shouldn’t hinder our faith one bit. Psalm 1:2-3 says “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” When we take a step back and look at our own life, what is the main source of our delight? Is it abiding in the law of the Lord and living a life that is respectful of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins?
Imagine the blessings that would follow in our lives if we would delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. Notice it doesn’t say on a particular day of the week but every day both in the morning and the evening. If we would commit ourselves to constantly thinking about the Lord and His instructions for us, the Bible compares us to a “tree planted by the rivers of water.” A tree that will bear fruit in its appointed time, a tree whose leafs will not wither and a tree that will prosper in all it does because it is living in the middle of God’s will for its life.
Should we allow external factors to affect an internal relationship with our Lord and Savior? The answer is absolutely not! Meditating on His Word day and night is an internal thing and the only thing that is capable of stopping us from thinking about the Lord is ourselves. I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:3 that says “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” If we attempt to glorify God in all we do on a daily basis, our thoughts will be directed to our Creator and Savior. Walking with the Lord everyday is the only way to overcome any temptations and tribulations throughout the day.
Your Brother in Christ,
Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40
"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"
Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
What do you suppose would happen if a big Brown Bear rumbled down the river towards you? I bet you wouldn’t feel quite as relaxed. Maybe you might experience a little anxiety or perhaps be overcome with fear. This is an example of how an external factor can affect an external relationship with your surrounding environment.
When we take a close look at the internal relationship we have the awesome opportunity to share with Christ, external factors shouldn’t hinder our faith one bit. Psalm 1:2-3 says “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” When we take a step back and look at our own life, what is the main source of our delight? Is it abiding in the law of the Lord and living a life that is respectful of His sacrifice on the cross for our sins?
Imagine the blessings that would follow in our lives if we would delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. Notice it doesn’t say on a particular day of the week but every day both in the morning and the evening. If we would commit ourselves to constantly thinking about the Lord and His instructions for us, the Bible compares us to a “tree planted by the rivers of water.” A tree that will bear fruit in its appointed time, a tree whose leafs will not wither and a tree that will prosper in all it does because it is living in the middle of God’s will for its life.
Should we allow external factors to affect an internal relationship with our Lord and Savior? The answer is absolutely not! Meditating on His Word day and night is an internal thing and the only thing that is capable of stopping us from thinking about the Lord is ourselves. I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:3 that says “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” If we attempt to glorify God in all we do on a daily basis, our thoughts will be directed to our Creator and Savior. Walking with the Lord everyday is the only way to overcome any temptations and tribulations throughout the day.
Your Brother in Christ,
Miguel "The Hitman" Viera #40
"Committed to tackling souls for Christ"
Visit www.trafford.com/06-0375 to read about Miguel's book "Walking on Higher Ground and Awakening the Spirit Within: A Christian Student Athlete's Spiritual Journey Through the Doors of College and Beyond." To learn more about Playing for Jesus Ministries, visit http://www.playingforjesusministries.vpweb.com.
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