Help! Love, MOM

What can we learn from an atheist?

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

One perspective on living life well is that it is “a long obedience in the same direction.”

Though popularized by Christian, Eugene Peterson, this quote is originally attributed to philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, an atheist.

Dominic Medford says, “Nietzsche is pointing to a paradox of modern life: the more choices we have, the more tempted we are to never choose deeply.”

We might conceptualize the idea of “long obedience” by thinking of the many hours, days, years of training required to compete, especially, at elite levels of sports, with physical preparation being only one component of an athlete’s success.

I want to suggest that the opposite, not choosing deeply, can lead to unwise choices especially as it relates to online life:

• The quickly posted, thoughtlessly cruel, sarcastic response;

• Endless scrolling instead of meaningful reading;

• Hypervigilance around followers, friends, likes and shares to the point of eclipsing the work to establish, maintain and grow real-world relationships.

Daily, mindlessly, choosing shallow.

This is not to say or imply that social media is inherently superficial, it is not. However, it appears that one of the top reasons most people utilize the internet is for entertainment.

I’ve done it. Have you wasted HOURS watching reel after interesting, amusing reel?

Oh and by the way, did you know that to amuse used to mean “to deceive or cheat by first occupying the attention?” Yep.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

Hebrews 12:1

Let’s make every choice, not by chance, not merely to “occupy our attention” but rather as a purpose-filled, decision to run the race marked out for us: to obey the LORD, to speed up the return of the LORD, to fulfill our calling, to make a difference in the world and in our own lives for Christ and His kingdom.

These are some of my “long obediences:”

• One of my spiritual desires is to be a skillful soul winner. I also want to be better at memorizing and applying the scriptures.

• I want to grow my blog – thanks for reading! – and create video content as I understand better the power and beauty of encouragement in the lives of people, all of whom are precious to God.

• Personally, I want to maintain and go deeper with my current friend relationships and grow new ones. And…

• I want to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. In that space, I believe, is a breakthrough for me.

One last thing.

Please know that long obedience equates to “long faith” but not “mountain-sized faith” according to Dr. Dharius Daniels.

Pastor Daniels reminds us that the faith to remove mountains or to sustain a long obedience requires mustard seed faith which has, inherently, an audacity that keeps showing up.

For example, in terms of the internet, we need “long faith” to resist the constant temptation to live for the perfect, Instagram moment, or to post savage, disparaging commentary.

However, the transformed life in the divine Holy Spirit leads us to a long obedience in the direction of saying yes to God daily even as I deny my flesh the perfect clap back; whatever that looks like in your world.

Trust me. These are all works in progress!

The beauty is that YOU get to follow your God-ordained calling as to where you invest deeply.

Today, what will receive your focus?

Tomorrow? Do it again. Press on toward the goal: Live for Jesus.

The next day? Do it again. Press on toward the goal: Live for Jesus.

This weekend? Do it again. Press on toward the goal: Live for Jesus.

My dearest reader, I pray that you both taste and see the Christian life as it is: a God-designed, joyful obedience in the same direction toward His glory and our good!

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 KJV

Blessings!

Kimberly

Please share a “long obedience” or two. To what disciplines or interests are you called and deeply devoted?