When We Just Don’t Feel Like It – Sunday Thought For The Day

If you’re a Christian have you ever had an obligation to do something that as the date for same neared, you really didn’t feel like doing?  I have.  Typically when this happens, it’s the enemy attempting to steer us off track.   But, sometimes its just us.  Let me explain.

Not long ago I was expected to attend a private gathering.  However, a couple days before the event, for valid reasons, I just didn’t want to attend.

My feelings were based purely upon the fact that I just did not want to be bothered with what I knew had all the potential to be a spiritual battle on some level, that I legitimately could avoid.  It wasn’t that I was unprepared emotionally or spiritually.  It was just at that particular moment I was feeling somewhat Jonahesque even though I knew and genuinely loved many of the people who would be gathered together.

Notwithstanding, it was easy to take my lack of motivation to the Lord and ask Him to refresh me, have the Holy Spirit to work within me and to use me.

There was no moment that my attending was going to be done grudgingly.  I wasn’t resentful nor was I approaching it halfheartedly and spiritually disaffected.  I was spiritually ready and prepared.  My confidence and reliance were completely upon my Lord.

I said to my wife that my feelings were like getting ready for a big game that was going to be played outdoors in winter weather, with a windchill factor reducing the temperature to below zero.  I wasn’t afraid to play and I wasn’t afraid of losing – I knew victory was assured.  I just didn’t feel like dealing with the weather at that particular time.

It’s important to mention that there have been times that the enemy of our souls was furiously doing his best to depress me and weary me well before I was to speak at an event or deliver a sermon.  In those times, I petitioned the Lord for the Holy Spirit to enlarge me and anoint me for that period of time.

The day of the gathering, I had perfect peace the entire time I was there.

The most important instruction I can possible share from my experience is, in situations such this one with me the condition of our heart is important.  Our service for the Lord should be based upon the fact that when we asked the Lord use us after we were saved – we meant it.  We didn’t put conditions on when and how we would be used.  We availed ourselves to God’s service in whatever capacity He chose, that results in our use glorifying Him.

We don’t want to be like the son in the parable of the two sons, who said he would go and then did not.

READ:

Matthew 21:28-32 (KJV)
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.