Back to the Basics

Do you ever feel like your starting to walk with Jesus all over again? I know He has always been with me throughout my life, but there are times when I have paused and realized that, in the midst of my busyness, or even in my spiritual activities, I have been missing him. Or, as I have realized lately, I have been living with little consciousness of his Kingdom priorities.

How easy it is to skim the surface of life without entering into what we were created for, all along, our hearts vaguely aware that something's not quite right.

How easy it is to hear sermon after sermon and never be changed, our hearts overgrown with calluses from conviction not heeded, from notes taken and never reviewed, from plans made and not followed through.

How easy it is to read a book and forget what it says.

I recall hearing someone once say that "knowledge without application programs us to inactivity."

I have taken in so much knowledge, but applied so little.

Having grown up in a Christian home and spent time with people from all different denominational persuasions, at times I have been downright confused about what I believe and what the Bible actually says. I have also acquired bits of knowledge (not necessarily thorough) about many theological issues and topics of the Bible. Knowledge is wonderful and even essential, but the problem with knowing things is that sometimes we can think we have mastered them simply because we know that they are true. Oh, patience...I know I'm supposed to be patient. Worry? Yeah, worry is pointless and Jesus tells us not to worry anyway.

I've recently pared down my wardrobe. Although I still have much more than I need, getting rid of some of the extra items in my closet has been a freeing experience. Having less options and clutter simplifies my life.

I think I need to ask myself what "extras" have found there way into my thinking that aren't even true, necessary, or consistent with life in the Kingdom of God? Has God's Word truly gripped and permeated my life?

I know that I am not starting to walk with Jesus all over again. He has been with me all along, patiently teaching me and guiding me. But perhaps it's time for some good old fashioned spring (or summer) cleaning where my heart is concerned. Perhaps it's a good time to do a little inventory of the things I have been believing and pare them down to what Scripture says, specifically to the way Jesus has taught me to live, and then to do it. Knowledge without application programs us to inactivity.

This might be a good place to start...

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8