Pressures of Life (Part 2 of 3)

Date of original writing: Monday April 25th, 2005

Yesterday, Sunday, at the Henrietta Street Ministry 'under the bridge', Rufus allowed God to speak a Good Word through him. Rufus said that God wants us to make a decision. Either we are with Him 100 percent, or we are without Him 100%. It makes God sick and He vomits out lukewarm people. People who try to play both sides of the fence. People who are holy on Sunday but not so holy throughout the rest of the week. People who wants the blessings of God, but are not willing to sacrifice and discard their negative music, or their drunkenness, or their lusting after the flesh, or their idolism for material things in this world. Vanity. Lukewarm people are people who may want to follow God, but are not willing to leave behind the baggage that is not needed for the trip.

Tell me, if you are going on a camping trip in the middle of the woods, why would you bring with you a 20 inch television? Yes, you may be used to watching TV on a regular basis, but is it suited for a camping trip? For one, it will be too heavy for you to travel through the woods with. It will serve no purpose where you are going, and your survival is not dependent on it in any way. Besides, if you are chased by a predator, you will be slowed down and possibly harmed because you are carrying such a huge and unnecessary load. So then why can’t we understand that when we decide to follow God, we can’t take along the drinking habits, or the sexual immorality, the deceitful tongue, or the jealousy and envy of something or someone. None of those things will help us in our plights of becoming more like God. In fact, they will only do the opposite and demoralize us and turn us out of God’s sight. When the enemy attacks, none of those negative things will help you to fight him off. All they do is provide an open door for him to attack you.

Now, don’t get me wrong God doesn’t say, “fix these problems before you come to me.” He said to come as you are, all he asks is that you love Him with all your heart, soul and mind, and to love your neighbors as you love yourself. If you are willing to give it to Him, God will carry your load for you. He will rid your life of all the unnecessary baggage you may have with you. But he won’t do it unless you come, unless you fully trust Him.