Writing Challenge

This month I have joined a writing challenge. 200 words a day for the month of June. A very doable challenge with the right mindset and time allocation. What I have discovered is how easy it is to go from super keen and locked in, to feeling, well… meh about it. It’s only day 5!

I started a day late due to being away for the weekend at State Youth Games in Bunbury. I will do an extra day in July to legitimise it. I’m being kind to myself. I’ve had opportunity to sit down today, and didn’t take it (until now – 7.30pm). It’s not that I don’t have time, I do. It’s a sobering reminder of how weak our minds can be… or should I say how weak MY mind can be. It’s almost like as soon as I know I NEED to do something, even something necessary and good, my brain rebels against the notion. Friends, please tell me it’s not just me… drop a comment below if you can relate.

It’s comforting to know that even the “super Christian” Paul had trouble with this ideology. He records his struggles in Romans chapter 7 - 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

In simple terms, Paul is saying: "I want to do the right thing, but I keep doing the wrong thing. There is a battle inside me between my desire to follow God and the sinful nature that still affects me."

I love how, as he pens these words, it is not long before Paul’s mind is drawn away from his personal mental struggle and refocuses on God.

Verse 25 has a powerful and distinct shift.

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!...

The wrestle is real and ongoing. It is one familiar to all believers who truly desire to live a life pleasing God. We as Christians live in this perplexing in between state of already forgiven, already saved, but not yet perfected. Sin is still a factor in the equation.

How do we reconcile this? We do as Paul did. Acknowledge the problem. Wrestle with it. Grieve over it and repent from it. Redirect our focus from our shortcomings to Jesus’ deliverance. Therein lies the solution. Shift our gaze back to Jesus.

Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.

We all need to be reminded from time to time that obeying God is a delight. As reflected in Psalm 19 his laws refresh the soul, make wise the simple (yay!), give joy to the heart, give light to the eyes… I’d encourage you to read the whole Psalm, it’s a beauty.

I am determined to persevere with joy in this writing challenge, gaining momentum from the Lord and all he has done for me.

Is there something He is calling you to persevere with for His glory? Let me know so I can pray for you.