“Do you remember what it was like to be separated from God?”
This question was asked by Pastor Jason on Sunday as he shared the importance of remembering our past.
Instantly, my heart was transported to a time where I wasn’t living for God. I remembered it well… I knew of God, and had been taught every Sunday about His character. But there was a time in my life where I deliberately chose not to live for Him and in relationship with Him. That was a dark time. On the outside, everything looked great. I had success in school, sports, popularity, and a boyfriend that adored me. But inside I was chasing the things of the world, and through many tearful nights, I realized it all left me feeling empty.
Today, I share a beautiful intimate relationship with Jesus. I consider Him my best friend. I am honored to walk this life with Him. I also struggle with anxiety and depression at times. But as I reflect on even the current darkness I face, I know it is nothing compared to the emptiness I felt back then. Even on my darkest day, I know He is there. Even when health issues arise, I have a Friend who walks beside me. I am never alone. There is a deep joy that comes with that, a joy that can’t be shaken by a day or hour of anxiety. That joy is eternal. And the more I focus on Him, the more the anxiety fades and joy starts to pour out.
At the end of Joshua’s speech, he chose to challenge the Israelites with the idols they still held on to. In the same way, God challenges us with the things we hold on to.
While not often physical idols, we hold unseen idols. Idols of people-pleasing, idols of perfection, idols of comfort and safety, idols of belonging, idols of financial stability.
Let me tell you friend, God is relentless in pursuing us to lay down these idols. He peels back layer after layer of worship in our hearts until we are left to worship Him alone. Sometimes that peeling back is very painful and hard. We wish we could stay content and comfortable where we are. But God doesn’t want to leave us there. He cares too much.
In the end…aren’t you glad He cares?
Aren’t you glad He doesn’t let you play around in the mud when He has seat for you in the palace?
One of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis goes like this:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Pastor Jason said, “He puts His holy finger on your heart and says, ‘Let’s talk about this now.” As you feel God convicting you….I implore you to listen.
Listen as the Spirit calls you to let that thing go, to live a different way, to care less about the ambitions of this world.
In time, God will reward your faithful obedience to choose ONLY Him. In time, you will actually lose the desire to pursue what you once thought was so important. And when that change comes, all heaven rejoices.
Keep going my friend, let Him peel back every layer until that beautiful day He calls you home.
This question was asked by Pastor Jason on Sunday as he shared the importance of remembering our past.
Instantly, my heart was transported to a time where I wasn’t living for God. I remembered it well… I knew of God, and had been taught every Sunday about His character. But there was a time in my life where I deliberately chose not to live for Him and in relationship with Him. That was a dark time. On the outside, everything looked great. I had success in school, sports, popularity, and a boyfriend that adored me. But inside I was chasing the things of the world, and through many tearful nights, I realized it all left me feeling empty.
Today, I share a beautiful intimate relationship with Jesus. I consider Him my best friend. I am honored to walk this life with Him. I also struggle with anxiety and depression at times. But as I reflect on even the current darkness I face, I know it is nothing compared to the emptiness I felt back then. Even on my darkest day, I know He is there. Even when health issues arise, I have a Friend who walks beside me. I am never alone. There is a deep joy that comes with that, a joy that can’t be shaken by a day or hour of anxiety. That joy is eternal. And the more I focus on Him, the more the anxiety fades and joy starts to pour out.
At the end of Joshua’s speech, he chose to challenge the Israelites with the idols they still held on to. In the same way, God challenges us with the things we hold on to.
While not often physical idols, we hold unseen idols. Idols of people-pleasing, idols of perfection, idols of comfort and safety, idols of belonging, idols of financial stability.
Let me tell you friend, God is relentless in pursuing us to lay down these idols. He peels back layer after layer of worship in our hearts until we are left to worship Him alone. Sometimes that peeling back is very painful and hard. We wish we could stay content and comfortable where we are. But God doesn’t want to leave us there. He cares too much.
In the end…aren’t you glad He cares?
Aren’t you glad He doesn’t let you play around in the mud when He has seat for you in the palace?
One of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis goes like this:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Pastor Jason said, “He puts His holy finger on your heart and says, ‘Let’s talk about this now.” As you feel God convicting you….I implore you to listen.
Listen as the Spirit calls you to let that thing go, to live a different way, to care less about the ambitions of this world.
In time, God will reward your faithful obedience to choose ONLY Him. In time, you will actually lose the desire to pursue what you once thought was so important. And when that change comes, all heaven rejoices.
Keep going my friend, let Him peel back every layer until that beautiful day He calls you home.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is the author of the blog yourtemplecare.com where she encourages women to care for their mind, body, and spirit as they grow closer to Jesus. She also hosts the podcast “Temple Care” where she provides weekly messages of encouragement. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach with a chai latte in hand.