Entitlement - Emily

What a doozy. It's so easy to point fingers at our culture regarding this message... but what does God want to do in me in this area?

First off, I am humbled every time I read accounts of martyrs and those under persecution. We don't experience that here in the U.S. (yet) so sometimes it just doesn't feel like a part of reality. But it is real and He could ask it of me some day. Do I love Jesus that much? Part of me is real hesitant to answer and the other part wants to stand up and shout 'yes. bring it on.' I know the he loves me  and anything/everything in my life is Father-filtered. Rom 8:28

"A Girl-Gone-Wise knows that the highest pleasure exists in denying self and willingly bearing the cross of Christ." pg 197- I have certainly found this to be true. Not easy, but true. In marriage, when I lay down my selfish or 'justified' desires, God brings about great peace in His way and timing. I feel like I am good at denying myself in some areas but still need a lot of work in others. There are so many 'levels' of denying self that I'm sure He'll always be working on something in me.

{Girl-Gone-Wild} "She denies that she is vulnerable to sin or accountable to anyone else for her behavior." pg 198- Wowzers. We are VERY vulnerable to sin, and when I start thinking I've got something under control, pride slips in and I fall. I know I need to beg God for His power to work in me to resist temptation. Because His Spirit is the still small voice it can be so easy to tune out or pretend I don't hear it. And yes absolutely we are accountable to others in any stage of life. Especially now I have 4 little eyes and ears watching me but even more than that I'm accountable to my husband. Sin and junk and an entitled attitude does severely affect our relationship. So often even the 'secret sin' manifests itself in other areas of our lives.

*Thought it interesting that she lists romance novels as a form of indulgence. Never thought about that before but the more I do, the more I realize how "off" they are. I read romance novels of my mom's in middle school and they exposed me to more than I think is appropriate for that age, and paint a very false picture of what life and love and men really are.

1 Tim 5:6 "She who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives" - the saddest part of this is that I can get so caught up in seeking to satisfy my own desires that I am completely missing what He wants to do in and through me in the moment.... and I don't even realize it. I have to pray for His contentment more than my comfort!! Sure there are a lot of ways I could be more comfortable right now, but God is doing something SO much bigger in us. No idea what, but He's called me to wait on Him - so I shall :-)

Mary wraps up with Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me" I would say that even more than daily, this is a moment by moment thing for me. An area I am still working on, is giving God my day and allowing Him to direct it - I can get real caught up in an agenda and completely run my own show.... makes a mess.

And to end she says the 'joy of Christ is sweeter than all other pleasures' and yes yes yes it is!!! I think I'll write that on a note card for myself - His joy is so much greater than anything else I could seek. And He can give me that joy even in the midst of a hard time or difficult situation. He is SO good.

I don't know about you two, but I'm loving the confirmations of who God is as we read. Yes, I am fallen and a sinful mess most times - but the more important aspect is that my eyes are turned towards Him and I'm open to His work in me!

Lord, I pray we will seek you for all things, knowing that in your perfect timing and way you do desire to bless and reward us, not only here on earth but more importantly someday in heaven with you!!