A Lesson on Convenience
Good Morning Girls! We are going to continue looking at Felix as we learn more about conviction this morning. A quick re-cap for you: Felix is a Roman governor. The Jewish leaders brought Paul to him hoping he would find him guilty and sentence him to death. Instead, Felix found Paul to have a solid defense. He did retain him in custody because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders, but he gave Paul special treatment. Felix brought his wife with him to see Paul and listen to him speak more about the Way (the Christian faith). He was interested, and I believe convicted and drawing closer to God when he suddenly felt the heat turn up (condemnation) and said to Paul "go away for now".........
.....but that is not all that he said. Let's take a look at what comes next: Acts 24:25 "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."
Ohhhhh do I know the feeling! The feelings of: "This is not going to work for me!". "I cannot deal with this right now". "How do you suppose I find time for this?". "Are you kiddin' me.....my plate is full." "I have enough going on right now!" "I will deal this later.......when it is more convenient!"
They say timing is everything, and that is true in many cases. There are definitely times in our lives that are more suitable and conducive to taking on certain things. For example; when you have small children at home your free time is limited. You may not be able to serve in church in all the areas you want. You may not be able to join the book club, the glory runners, and the scrap bookers for every event. But that is not what I am talking about here.
I am talking about the times when you feel convicted to do something, but instead of asking the Lord "how", you simply say "I'm too busy". "I don't have time to work out. I don't have time to cook healthy meals. I don't have time to read my bible. I don't have time to write a card and put it in the mail. I don't have time to...........blah blah blah".
Well Girls, I have learned this truth when it comes to your convictions: you do have the time.....you just might not like when that time is! You may have to give up a tv show or two. You may have to sit and read the paper after you spend time in the Word. You may only get to have 1 cup of coffee instead of three. You may only get to go out to lunch once a month instead of once a week. You may need to get up 30 minutes earlier to get that walk in. The lesson to learn, right now, today, is this: It will never be convenient!!!
And it shouldn't be. The things that are worth fighting for, the things that give us the greatest reward, shouldn't easily fit in to our lives. These convictions that we have- these desires that the Lord puts in our hearts, are gifts to us. The are pieces of the puzzle of His plan for us. Every time we are convicted by the Lord, he is saying "hey Girl, it's now time to_____. I know you are now ready. You are one step further down your path. The time is right. I've gone before you and cleared the way. All you have to do is listen and follow."
These convictions are not given to us to stress us out. They are given to us so we may be used by the Lord! They don't always make sense. There have been times when I have felt convicted to do something that made no sense at all, but I did it anyway. Sometimes you get to find out why. Other times you need to wait a while. God is looking for us to be willing, not perfect. Sure we say we love the Lord with all our hearts- just please don't make me give up my prime time drama series.....that is how I relax at the end of the day! Now there is nothing wrong with a little tv.....unless there is something else you are supposed to be doing.......you know......when it's more "convenient".
Ouch! It's okay if you feel a little irritated with me this morning. The Words stung me as I typed them!
Spend some time with the Lord today and ask HIm to make it clear to you- you know "whack you upside the head" clear to you if there is anything you have been putting off until it is "more convenient". Ask Him to show you how you are supposed to carry out this conviction. And brace yourself for the answer..........
Acts 24:25 "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again"
Love you all (even when you are mad at me)
Jen
.....but that is not all that he said. Let's take a look at what comes next: Acts 24:25 "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."
Ohhhhh do I know the feeling! The feelings of: "This is not going to work for me!". "I cannot deal with this right now". "How do you suppose I find time for this?". "Are you kiddin' me.....my plate is full." "I have enough going on right now!" "I will deal this later.......when it is more convenient!"
They say timing is everything, and that is true in many cases. There are definitely times in our lives that are more suitable and conducive to taking on certain things. For example; when you have small children at home your free time is limited. You may not be able to serve in church in all the areas you want. You may not be able to join the book club, the glory runners, and the scrap bookers for every event. But that is not what I am talking about here.
I am talking about the times when you feel convicted to do something, but instead of asking the Lord "how", you simply say "I'm too busy". "I don't have time to work out. I don't have time to cook healthy meals. I don't have time to read my bible. I don't have time to write a card and put it in the mail. I don't have time to...........blah blah blah".
Well Girls, I have learned this truth when it comes to your convictions: you do have the time.....you just might not like when that time is! You may have to give up a tv show or two. You may have to sit and read the paper after you spend time in the Word. You may only get to have 1 cup of coffee instead of three. You may only get to go out to lunch once a month instead of once a week. You may need to get up 30 minutes earlier to get that walk in. The lesson to learn, right now, today, is this: It will never be convenient!!!
And it shouldn't be. The things that are worth fighting for, the things that give us the greatest reward, shouldn't easily fit in to our lives. These convictions that we have- these desires that the Lord puts in our hearts, are gifts to us. The are pieces of the puzzle of His plan for us. Every time we are convicted by the Lord, he is saying "hey Girl, it's now time to_____. I know you are now ready. You are one step further down your path. The time is right. I've gone before you and cleared the way. All you have to do is listen and follow."
These convictions are not given to us to stress us out. They are given to us so we may be used by the Lord! They don't always make sense. There have been times when I have felt convicted to do something that made no sense at all, but I did it anyway. Sometimes you get to find out why. Other times you need to wait a while. God is looking for us to be willing, not perfect. Sure we say we love the Lord with all our hearts- just please don't make me give up my prime time drama series.....that is how I relax at the end of the day! Now there is nothing wrong with a little tv.....unless there is something else you are supposed to be doing.......you know......when it's more "convenient".
Ouch! It's okay if you feel a little irritated with me this morning. The Words stung me as I typed them!
Spend some time with the Lord today and ask HIm to make it clear to you- you know "whack you upside the head" clear to you if there is anything you have been putting off until it is "more convenient". Ask Him to show you how you are supposed to carry out this conviction. And brace yourself for the answer..........
Acts 24:25 "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again"
Love you all (even when you are mad at me)
Jen
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