Not Playin' Around

I've got a friend. Yup, just one. No, not really; I have some wonderful friends. But this one in particular is going through a very difficult time with their spouse. Prior to this difficult time, my friend had asked me to work with him/her on Scripture study. This friend had decided it was time to get serious about the Lord. Just to clarify this level of serious, imagine someone dissatisfied with their job. Yeah, I think it's time to look for a new job, they say. And months go by. Someone asks how well they like their job. Not very well, they reply. It might be time to look for a new one. But they've reached the twelve-year mark, they're in their late thirties: it's getting more difficult to make the move, break from the routine they've established. Another two years goes by before they know it. They're finding zero satisfaction in their job, there's no challenge, they're going through the motions without any real love for what they're doing. Do I really want to get my resume updated, start the search for another job? But I'm not really seeing the benefits of this one; I feel stagnant, but it pays the bills. 

Well, my friend updated his/her resume. My friend decided the search was worth it. My friend decided it was time to leave routine behind and search for all God was wanting to give. To do so means Bible study, memorization, devotion to prayer, being still before the Lord and listening for His voice, THEN obeying it! And before the difficult time arrived, my friend had already begun to do the work. Diligently. Seriously. And this friend who, just two years ago, would have sent me a very different text, sent me this one a few weeks ago:

Hi Judy. I was up till 1. I am committed. Not committed to a looney bin. Committed to growing under your instruction. Lol. And mostly in the Lord.

There is no exaggeration here. This person was, at one time, losing their mind. The texts I would get in his/her darkest times...Oh my! Scary. 

But God! I couldn't ask for a better, more precious text! 

This article was not the manifesto I'd planned. I wanted to rant about wishy-washy Christians who constantly gossip and place all their focus on stupid things like binge-watching and designer bags. I wanted to rage on about how sick I am of people calling themselves by the name of Jesus and not even giving Him the time of day. I wanted to excoriate Christians who think they can grow without reading Scripture and serve without leaving their comfort zones. I wanted to say, most of all, of how I fail Him. How I want to give so much more. How every second I mindlessly waste on my phone would be better used if I give Him that time. I wanted to say how wishy-washy I can be, and how that sickens me. But I think this testimony says it all. 

For my friend, the difficult time has come; but because of his/her willingness to make a change and commit to basic spiritual disciplines, the difficulty will not overcome this child of God. My friend has decided to get serious about a relationship with Jesus, to draw nearer to Him day after day, even when so much else is demanding attention, even when so many lies are being spoken. My friend has been diligent, faithful on the mountain top and in the valley, and has met there the Friend who is with us in all things. Are you ready to get serious?