Thought for Thursday, July 5th

July 5, 2012

Are You Set In Your Ways

We have all probably known someone, somewhere along the way in our life experiences that we might tend to consider being set in their ways.

What exactly does it mean to be set in your ways?

Generally speaking it refers to someone who has done something the same way for so long that it would take a cataclysmic effort or event to cause that individual to make any serious changes.

But for the person who is considered to be the one set in their ways it would probably be more akin to being comfortable, content and feeling somewhat safe in their actions or attitudes.

I often think that being set in our ways is a common malady of many folks spiritually speaking.  We can become comfortable, content or feel that what we have always done or the way we have always done something is safe and non-threatening, hence it becomes a form of a ritual approach that we take to keeping everything from being taxing or challenging to us.

I’m not so sure that this was God’s intention though. 

One of the problems with ritualistic approaches to things is that they become mundane and almost mechanical, lacking much if any heart felt enthusiasm or eliciting any real energy from us as individuals.

Our walk with God and the ensuing relationship that we should be perpetually developing with Him needs to always be fresh, exciting, invigorating and challenging.

“He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, and will never be wiser on the morrow than he is today.”

-       Tryon Edwards

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:2-7

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

True wisdom brings with it the understanding that though God doesn’t change – we do and our relationship with Him should be constantly changing, expanding and growing.  Sometimes God wants us to experience new things in new ways so that it will deepen our connection to Him, as well as to equip us to minister and reach out to others who may be different and in a different place than we are in.

Sometimes we have to get outside of our comfort zone and experience things in a new and different way in order to be all that God needs us to be.

So are you willing, or are you one of those who might be stuck in their ways?

Today’s Prayer

Father, it is hard to imagine someone who knows everything, understand everything and can do anything: but you can.  I know I have some limits but may one of them not be, refusing to allow you to do new and different things in my life that will make me a better, more equipped servant for you.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman