Physical Limitation! Spiritually Limitless.

Ugh! How these physical bodies limit us. Paul was right to put no confidence in the flesh. Between sicknesses, migraine headaches, sleepiness and sore muscles, how is a man supposed to build a consistent life of prayer and devotion? Nothing guaranteed that this new lifestyle would be easy, so I have resolved to simply dedicate myself to the schedule first, then do what I am able within the capacities of my physical being. Awakening this morning with yet another migraine - and being intensely sore from days of workouts, sometimes doubles like yesterday's - my prayer time this morning was scattered and disturbed by moments of unexpected napping.

God knows our limitations. It is only through long discipline that we overcome them, not by any short-term promise to be better (such as New Year's resolutions), stronger (renewed workout programs), or healthier (diets). In our society of quick-fixes, the long-term attempt at discipline is not much utilized. Admired when it is seen, it is rare in our church. Most people would rather live their lives without God's daily impact and instead seek him at some concert, retreat or conference where they can get a steroid dose of him all at once. I believe the devil seeks such opportunities...

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. No one overcomes the flesh at a single conference. Even my friends through the years whom I have seen radically saved from addictions, violent lifestyles or other deep chasms have not kept their amazing transformations without, as Eugene Peterson puts it, "a long obedience in the same direction." I have perhaps survived, and even grown to a large extent, by the most minor obedience - really more persistence, I guess. But to thrive requires something altogether different; something altogether more purposeful.

God leads us to decision points in our lives, points where we are asked to choose either the green, lush lowlands of Lot, or the harsher, arid wilderness of Abraham. It seems that those who choose the easier of the circumstances never prosper with God like those who go into the desert to be tempted, tested, tried. In the oasis, the flesh flourishes. In the desert, it retreats. In the savannah, the plentiful resources supplant the Spirit, while in the harsh places, a man's few resources make obvious his need.

While I would love a life of luxury, I abandoned that pursuit long ago. I have all the luxury I need to distract me as it is, having plentiful material goods in a somewhat modest lifestyle. Any more and I might never seek God. But Lord, whatever it takes to capture and maintain my focus on you, let it be. Help me to seek you in the midst of my meager resources, that I might not have to be brought to nakedness and hunger in order to know you.