If Christians Were Like Surfers - Encouragement Café - May 25, 2017
If Christians Were Like Surfers
By Carolyn Dale Newell
Thursday, May 25, 2017
[Jesus said] 'And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30 NKJV
I don’t spend much time at the beach, but while I was in Myrtle Beach for our Encouragement Café retreat, I could not believe surfers were out in the cold Atlantic at daybreak in the middle of January.
These folks are die-hard. Nothing stops them. Even when hurricanes approach, they stay in the water as long as possible seeking the thrill of the storm.
Athletes and musicians alike spend countless hours training for their heart’s desire. But what about Christians?
We are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, but how much time do we spend with Him? Do we linger for hours in Scripture and prayer?
What does it take to keep us from church? When the world sees us, do they see Jesus?
In comparison, I feel I fall very short. My hours with God don’t compare with the surfer’s time on the waves. It is hard to step out of my comfort zone to witness.
What about our prayer life? Does it lack enthusiasm, the same enthusiasm we may have at a ball game or concert? How many tears have I cried over lost souls?
We will become passionate about our prayers when we become compassionate about people.
It is time to pray right now because the fervor we lack can be ours for the asking. Let’s take back what the enemy has stolen.
Yes, we need to pray for God to align our hearts and fill them with zeal. Zeal for Him. Zeal for the lost. Zeal for witnessing and serving. Zeal for the truth of Scripture.
Will you join me at the throne of grace as we ask God to set our hearts ablaze?
Loving God with all our heart means we serve and obey out of love, not legalism, or some sense of duty.
Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal our weaknesses and revive our hearts.
Lord, sometimes we fail to pray or read Your Word. We lose the courage to witness. Pour out abundant love in our hearts for people. Renew our desires to faithfully walk with You, making You our priority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2017 by Carolyn Dale Newell All rights reserved.
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