Friday, November 1, 2013

Meekness is the Key

I've been spending some time away from the ole computer lately.  I have found it easy to lose oneself in the cyber world while ignoring tangible life.  Like anyone's walk in life, especially one of faith, there are hills and valleys to traverse.  For me, it is far too simple to withdraw into a life of study and writing.  But the Christian life is not one meant for solitude.  Being the introvert I am, the difficulty remains not in extending love from a distance, encouragement from a keyboard, love from arm's length, rather delving into faith and applying wisdom found in Scripture outside of this machine.
 
I don't know how many have read my 'bio,' so here's a little background on Chad.  I am a recovering alcoholic and addict.  Almost two decades spent wallowing like a pig in the mire and mud of hate and anger.  There are many reasons as to why I chose the lifestyle I use to reside in, but it all boils down to ignorant selfishness.  I chose to escape into an altered reality pleasing myself, instead of facing life head on and pleasing my heavenly Father.  In God's strength through Jesus, I have since kicked alcohol and drugs to the curb.  However, I still struggle with the aspect of escapism.  The hypocrite within loves to rail against those who are almost surgically tethered to technological devices; those who always have a phone to their ear or head buried downward typing out texts.  Yet, I constantly fail to realize I am no better because I retreat into Facebook, blogs, and surfing the net on my laptop.  How can I stand in opposition toward apathy in life when I exude the very same aspects of those I call 'Apostles of Apathy?' 
 
It's easy to fall into a stance with one's arm extended forming an outstretched index finger.  Pointing out others ineptitude at displaying Christ's love is a soap box position.  If only I and others could come down atop the soap box and use it's contents to cleanse our high and mighty perspectives.  Now, this is not to say shining the light of Christ on lies, apostasy, and hypocrisy is unwarranted.  It's just prudent to always bear in mind Galatians 6:1--
"Brothers, even if a man is overtaken in some offense, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, looking to yourself lest you also be tempted."
We are all guilty of sin--and that of the same sins in varying degrees.  They may take different shapes, yet if we think we are innocent of sins others commit, then we are not only deceived by Satan--we are also self-deceived.  We as Christians are forgiven and righteous before God the Father through God the Son.  We cannot use that freedom in harshness toward others, rather in a "spirit of meekness."  To be low in self and lofty in Christ will always project God's true love.  After all, as those who have been called out of the darkness into the light of God's mercy and grace, we must not forget what we were--"lest (we) also be tempted" to walk as zombies in our old selves.  We have been crucified with Christ on the cross and resurrected to a new life.  To forget we were once drowning and Christ Jesus threw us a life line, is to repeat the actions of our 'dead selves.' 

Love is action, love is real.  Shedding truth when we ourselves are sinners is not hypocrisy.  We now reside within the era of grace through Jesus.  Using this gift of grace to shed truth in hateful opposition and no direct application to ourselves is sin.  Meekness is the key.  To think of Christ, and to withdraw into His presence, will cause us to step outside ourselves.  To step outside the familiarity of old habits and the comforts of escapism is surrendering oneself to Jesus.  Yes, faith is a gift--it is also a journey.  Just as life is a dance of one step forward and two steps back, we must reverse that order in growth.  We will fail, it is inevitable while we still reside in the flesh.  But, we cannot repeat actions of old--we must commit ourselves to two steps forward after every one step back. 

Each day adds to the year's total of 365.  Each year adds to the sum total of one's life.  I have no clue as to why living creeps by while life flies by--escapes my intellect.  But, it is a fact.  Life's memories are a blur, but they don't feel that way in the 'process of.'  It is easy to forget eternity waiting for us on the other side of time.  I forget this daily, even though I'm aware of the reality.  I must focus on this reality rather than escaping into a world withdrawn from society.  I look forward to my growth in the Lord.  By His grace and love, I have truly become a new man.  I am not what I use to be and remaining meek in Christ's presence will mature me past where I am now.   
"Not that I have already obtained or am already perfected, but I pursue, if even I may lay hold of that for which I also have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not account of myself to have laid hold; but one thing I do: Forgetting the things which are behind and stretching forward to the things which are before, I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward.  Let us therefore, as many as are full-grown, have this mind; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you.  Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk."  (Philippians 3:12-16)

*more of my bio can be read at  http://authonomy.com/books/47153/convoluted-christianity/