Often in life we can know the things we ought to do, but yet fail repeatedly to do them. We know we should eat right, exercise, be kind, give to others, make time for our partner and family, spend time with Jesus, read our bible, pray, meet with others regularly to encourage us in our faith etc., etc., etc.
Yet why do we fail to do these things? God wants better for us than for us to be constantly falling short of what we are created to be all the time. His ways are not actually burdensome, and are designed to set us free and equip and enable us to be the person we were made to be. Yet many times we can give into our weaknesses, and do the exact opposite of what we know we ought to do, or perhaps just do nothing at all.
But the bible says we will be known by how we live. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome “ (1 John 5:2-3)
“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:16)
I think the problem stems from the fact that many times we can fall into the trap and habit of living by our feelings. If we don’t feel like it, then we don’t do it. If we don’t feel like cooking, we buy take-out, if we don’t feel like exercising we lie in bed instead, if we don’t feel especially loving or giving we ignore or snap at everyone in our vicinity, and sadly above all else, if we don’t feel like it we don’t take the time to focus our heart and attention on Jesus; we don’t give Him any time, we don’t read His word, we don’t talk to Him, we don’t listen to Him, and we definitely don’t do what He says. All because we tell ourselves and give the excuse that “we just don’t feel like it today!”
Fortunately for us God is not governed by feelings that can change like shifting shadows. He is constant, always loving, faithful, and dependable. Where we lack, He is enough, where we ignore Him, He is all-knowing and attentive to us, where we walk away from our commitment and agreement with Him, He sticks to His promises to us.
Contrary to the way we can often live out our lives God says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
The question to ask ourselves on a daily basis is “what sort of person do we actually want to be?” When we look at ourselves in the mirror and others look at our lives, what will our life say about us? Because the decisions we make everyday need to be more than simply the sum total of how we “feel” on a given day. It’s more than some vibe, or am I “feeling it” or not. It’s about making quality decisions regarding what’s really important; about what God saying to do and be, and about living it out.
Today regardless of whether you are feeling it or not, or whether you can be bothered or not, just make a decision to do what you know to do! Make a decision to stick to your convictions; your commitments; your vows; your goals, your vision. Those things that God has spoken and asked you to do and be, make a decision today to get up and go and do them! Then tomorrow do it all again! Let your life be governed by more than your feelings, and instead base your actions on truth and love, and doing what you know to do!
Prayer: Lord help me to do what I know to do! That I wouldn’t simply live by my feelings, but instead by what you say in your word; and my convictions, values and beliefs. In Jesus Name Amen.
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