What keeps you from growing closer to God?

Huh….  I don’t think about this often, but when I do I’m always surprised at what my answer ends up being.

Your answer may be simple or it may have so many twists and turns it would give a roller coaster a run for its money!

I have found that my answer changes every so often and really depends on the day and what happens to be going on at the moment.  I wish there weren’t so many on my list, though!!!

Strangely, for me, the things that hold me back from God are more often good things, rather than bad things.

For example, when I’m panicking I’m usually in a horrible and lonely place, therefore, I’m pretty tight with God because He’s the only thing that is getting me through.

Alternately, when I’m celebrating a ‘big win’ (which can be anything from gaining a new client to losing 5 pounds to going on vacation to a deserted island) I find that God may not be the top of my list to thank, praise and include in my joyous occasion.

Eek!!  You’d think I’d learn by now who is in charge and who isn’t!!!  Not to mention who deserves the thanks and praise!!!  Grr….

Don’t know about you, but throughout my life my ego, selfish desires, dreams, wishes and successes have had less to do with God and much more to do with how Meg can get ahead, feel good about herself and get what she wants.

I am certain that I’m not alone in this revelation because the world tells us daily that this is exactly what we should be doing to get the most out of life. All we have to do is turn on the TV, surf the internet or open up one of our social media accounts and we will find a plethora of junk that fills our minds with ungodly notions, practices and views.

The scripture below tells us how wrong our own selfish desires are.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices…. Colossians 3:5-10

The worst part is that we don’t even have to go farther than looking in the mirror to find the guy or gal that does every one of those ‘earthly’ items listed above.

Man, oh man.  I’m going to STOP looking in the mirror!!  Yea, right!

Once again, it’s not by our own strength that grows us closer to God.  It is by His love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that gives us the opportunity to be saved by His grace.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. … John 15:1-27

Living God’s way isn’t one way to live – it is living.

In fact, God urges us to stop living to get the most out of the world, but instead, live more fully by being a person who puts God’s love back into the world!

We grow closer to God every time we act like Him, obey Him and reach for Him.  It’s not rocket science, but it takes deliberate action on our part to choose Him with each breath we take.

There are too many things on my list to count that keep me from growing closer to God.  However, turning away from sin and towards God gives me a fresh start EVERY TIME I do it!!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.