I like Marshmallows, especially over a campfire. I like them even more now that I have kids who enjoy toasting them more than I do. Yet something about marshmallows is that they are a great treat, but they offer little by way of nutrition. I tell my kids, often, we can't eat only stuff that is sweet or tastes good, because our bodies need different nutrients to be healthy. Yet, as I look at social media, listen to Christian radio, and even watch Christian movies, much of the time, those who say they love Christ want to eat only sweets, so to speak. We want what inspires us, we want to be uplifted, which is not bad, but it starves us also of God's discipline, which often is more loving than the uplifting!
It's time we stop seeking mere inspiration, and seek to be conformed in to the image of Jesus. Jesus didn't lead an easy life, He didn't say what people wanted to hear, but always spoke the truth. People didn't understand, and, at times, even wanted to kill Him for the Word He spoke. Why, then, do we feel we can get away only with what's inspiring? The reality is that walking with Jesus is a maturing process. If we're seeking only the sweets, like my children, we're still not maturing. We should seek the whole counsel of God, and seek, not merely inspiration, but to be like Jesus. Jesus did what please His Father. He was obedient, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2 has a lot to say on this!). This world is broken, life is hard, but if we have all of Jesus, we have everything we need. Colossians 3:1-17 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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