What Is In Your Chair?
There is a single chair that sits within our hearts that is never empty. It is either filled with the Lord or with other things that distract us. Selfishness. Bitterness. Jealousy. Sin. All of these are cancers to you and me “walking” with God. Ideally, we want the Lord in control, but speaking personally there are way too many times I allow these negative characteristics to take full control. Maybe you have or have had the same struggles.
How many times do we “make up our mind” that we are going to do better, but then slip back into old habits that control us and destroy our relationships, not only with the Lord but also with others? It’s almost like a merry go round – and we don’t know how, or have the tools, to stop repeating the SAME OLD SIN.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Perhaps a motivation to “win at life” could be the full realization that the “cloud of witnesses” is our children. We are running every day, and we are carrying our children with us. Just think a minute… we actively “lay aside every sin that entangles us.” This is a conscious decision, not an accidental step, in the right direction.
When faced with the decision of what to do, and what steps to take, just remember that you can ask the Lord for help. He is there for us whenever we need Him. And remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) This is the key! I promise, if you are sincere in your request, He WILL come and help. He promised.
John Croyle, Founder, Big Oak Ranch
Author, Who You Are/Defying the Circumstances that Define Us, Bringing Out the Winner in Your Child, The Two Minute Drill to Manhood and Raising a Princess, www.bigoak.org
