Encouragement for Today - Jan. 26, 2012
 |
January 26, 2012
Easy Isn't the New Good |
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV 1984)
It's good to invest wisely in my relationships. It's easy to simply coast.
It's good to go the speed limit. It's easy to speed a little.
It's good to make a healthy choice. It's easy to grab junk.
It's good to read my Bible. It's easy to check my phone for texts and emails first.
It's good to think about others. It's easy to think about myself.
Several years ago I had a friend who decided to leave her husband for another man. Things were easier with this other man. The feelings were giddy. The fights were few. And they didn't have years of issues that needed to be dealt with.
So she went with what felt easy over what was good. She divorced. She remarried. She started over with what seemed so much easier.
After all, she'd been slipping into the pattern of easy for years. When we set our heart on the pattern of choosing easy over good in the little things, we run the risk of using the same justifications with the bigger things.
I'm not saying if I don't read my Bible today, I'm headed for divorce court tomorrow. But setting a pattern of choosing easy over good in my life is a slippery slope.
Easy isn't the new good.
Just because the world waves a big banner that we deserve easy... do what feels easy... why stress yourself when there's an easier way... doesn't mean it's good.
Eventually, my friend didn't feel like her new man was so easy. The feelings weren't so giddy. The fights were many. And over the years they too developed a whole host of issues.
One day she came home and her second husband was gone. He found it easy to leave.
Like the old cliché says, "Easy come, easy go."
I think about this and I'm challenged. Where are little compromises sneaking into my life? Where am I establishing a pattern of choosing what is easy over what is good? And does it really matter?
I think it does.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
I so desire this "good" way. To treat others fairly. To love those in my life faithfully. And to live the way God wants me to live- choosing good over easy.
Dear Lord, please help me to see today the times where I may choose the easy way over the good way. My desire is to please You in all that I do. Help me to establish healthy patterns of living according to Your purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
If you are looking for a book to help you really get to know God in a deep and personal way, Lysa's Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl would make the perfect resource for your personal or group Bible Study this year!
To learn more about the book or her DVD teaching series and accompanying Bible Study workbook, click here.
If you enjoy Lysa's devotions, be sure to sign up for notes of encouragement she sends out from her blog by clicking here. They are free and great for passing along to friends.
Come see the downloadable Freebies on Lysa's website! Encouraging articles for lots of situations to print and share with a friend! www.LysaTerKeurst.com
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
Just because the world waves a big banner that we deserve easy... do what feels easy... why stress yourself when there's an easier way... doesn't mean it's good.
Where are little compromises sneaking into my life? Where am I establishing a pattern of choosing what is easy over what is good? And does it really matter?
Power Verses:
Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for good of those who loves him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
Philippians 2:13, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
