“One thing I have desired . . to dwell in the House of the Lord.” Psalm 27:4 NKJV
“Careless spiritual practices are corrosive to spiritual passion.”
My thoughts today are about the “status quo.”
The “status quo” – a Latin term describing “a past and present state of being” – can never be considered the best option for your future. Yet people accept their “state of affairs” as adequate, even when unhappy with it. Why would a person be so easily lulled into tolerating the way things are, rather than strongly desiring the way things could be? If your marriage needs attention, get help. If your family is crumbling, do something about it. If you job is a dead end, do something else. If your spiritual life is stagnant, get serious about God.
So much of life is governed by what you desire intently, not casually. Desire shapes decisions; decisions affect direction; direction determines destiny. You can never afford to be casual about destiny. I see a particular aspect of lifestyle that I believe diminishes a person’s level of achievement in any arena of everyday life. That lifestyle choice is casualness in things about which you cannot afford to be casual. Marriages and families suffer from inattention; friendships grow distant without priority.
Your job or business does not prosper if you’re casual about the trust and opportunities given you there. Be casual about your house, yard, car, or financial responsibilities, and the result? Your house will be in disrepair; your yard becomes overgrown with weeds; your car is depreciating rapidly; and your bills are in arrears and financial affairs in disarray.
Would you not then assume that something as important and eternal as your spiritual life cannot be approached casually yet remain vibrant and growing? What really matters to you receives the time and attention necessary from you. What you care for prospers; what you neglect diminishes.
King David wrote, “One thing I have desired of the Lord; that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Psalm 27:4 NKJV. David was passionate. His passion shook up the status quo, faced a bear and lion, stood fearless before a giant, calmed the soul of a troubled King, brought him to a throne, and passion endeared David to God. Maybe that’s why God called David, “a man after My own heart.” Acts 13: 22 NIV. Passion rang true in his songs, and still echoes in his writings. He felt strongly; he cared deeply; he lived fully. How would God and others describe your faith and spiritual practice today? See Philippians 3:8-17 NLT.
Some years ago, I noticed my frequent response was a noncommittal, “Whatever.” I changed my attitude to change my responses – or non-responses, as the case may be. “Whatever” is not good enough for any person intent on pursuing God’s highest and best. There is a danger involved when you regard eternal matters lightly. Casual Christians become spiritual casualties.
I have become freshly challenged to be spiritually intent on living with passion and intentionality in areas of my personal and spiritual life. In recent days, these words have stirred my thoughts: “Careless spiritual practices are corrosive to spiritual passion.” I choose to live with clarity and passion about things that touch eternity.
My prayer for you today is that you live for God intentionally and passionately.