Monday's Meditation

"Nevertheless not as I will..." Matthew 26:39

I have become more aware lately that I need to get on some sort of regular exercise (fitness) program- so I've started back walking in the mornings. I don't mind walking, but I HATE getting sweaty and nasty. I have several exercise machines in my FROG (finished room over garage), but it's hot over there - especially now in the dead of summer - which means I'm going to sweat double time if I work out over there! Yuck!

I see a spiritual parallel in this. We all want the blessings, the promises, the benefits and rewards, as well as the good things of God to come our way, but we aren't willing to do what it takes in order to receive them. And even if we are willing, we usually want it on our terms. How often has God spoken something to you that would be a benefit, or even an answer to prayer, but He didn't do it the way you thought He should -or rather, the way you wanted it. We want the blessings, but we want them the way we want them, when we want them, and how we want them... like I said, "our way." We want them but not at the expense of having to get out of our comfort zones, not at the risk of causing us to have to make some sort of sacrifice, not if it goes against our plans. For example, I want God to talk to me, I need Him to talk to me, but I don't want Him to wake me up at 3:00 in the morning to do it. I'd rather have Him do it a little later in the morning. (This is wanting it my way.)

I want the benefit that I could gain from exercising on that equipment, but I want to do it in a nice cool environment. Since I don't want to do it in such a place, I can't always find another time that would be better; so I don't do it at all- therefore, I miss the benefit that it would be to my life. If you try to deal with God on your own terms, you will never reap the benefits and blessings that He has for you. You have to do it "HIS WAY"... on His terms.