Almost every morning, I automatically roll out of bed and hit my knees in prayer and devotion time. "Oh, what a wonderful habit!", you might be thinking.
These past few months, my time with Jesus has been short. And shallow. I have rushed myself to eat breakfast, begin school, and "start my day". How little do I realize that Jesus is the only way and reason to start my day. He is the fuel under my fire, the gas in my tank, and the breath in my lungs. And I give Him two second of, "Please help me speak kindly to my siblings" and "Please give me an 'A' on this American History Exam". Bare traces of prayer for opportunity to serve can be found in these times, as I leap from my knees to start a day with an incomplete spirit.
I know, as humans, we love to be served. And we love our time. Well, let's just face it: WE LOVE US. We were born with this ingrained into our sinful nature. And for me, it has gotten to a point where I am so obsessed with myself and my schedule, that I don't give Jesus more than five minutes of my morning. How can I ever feel full, ever witness, ever be where I'm supposed to be if I don't listen to Him? This honesty hurts me. Jesus deserves so much more from me.
I often think we as American Christians undermine Christianity and the power/necessity of prayer. I mean completely and utterly miss the dedication and death it requires of our feeble mortality. If you have ever read the "Screwtape Letters" (written by my dear "friend", C.S. Lewis), you will know the ferocity of the spiritual battle that takes place daily for your soul. And while this battle rages, we are content to stuff our mind with ESPN, shopping, academics, and secular music. These things slowly become our standards. Truly, think about your life, and what you allow into your heart every day. You were made for more than listening to that radio station. You were made for more than settling for that boy. You were made for more than sitting on your phone hours a day.
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.", claims the "affectionate" Uncle Screwtape to his devilish apprentice.
This quote makes me shudder. How we miss the mark. How we allow Satan's casual slope of noise and secularity "scoot" us right past Jesus. How I allow the most important part of my day to be overcome with stress and a divided mind. I'm begging you-- wake up. Don't miss the mark. Pick up your arrows and run like the wind.
"...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3
