“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?" -Deuteronomy 10:12-13

i was at island last night and i have never met a bunch of more childish delinquents my entire life. no respect for others, shouting and disturbing the peace at 1030pm at night, THROWING FRENCH FRIES at each other, messing up the entire floor outside serene macs, with no regard for the trouble they've caused for others who will have to clean up their mess when they leave. (the extremely violent individual i was with asked me 'eh did you slap them?' hahahahhaa. if they were my kids, I DEFINITELY WOULD. i am a firm believer in 'spare the rod and spoil the child' ok sorry detracting)

but because this experience left me horrified, i was left thinking about how, in our heart of hearts, we are all like these kids. self-ish, self-centered, self-absorbed, self-everything. we do whatever we want and expect that at the end of life's day, God (the superhuman vacuum cleaner) will clean up the royal mess we've made and everything will be nice and clean and restored to it's original state.

but is that really the way we were meant to live?

the Christian way is not an easy way. it requires denial of self. it requires putting God first. it requires setting aside the sin that so easily ensnares us. it means your conscience is pricked an insane amount of times a day by the leading of the Spirit, you feel guilty about doing things that 85% of the world would have no issues with. and the five things He demands of me requires me to make Him my all.

but the Christian way is, paradoxically, also the easiest way. letting go and letting Him means the path of your life shies away from unnecessary hiccups, unless they are life lessons that are necessary to mold you and make you stronger in faith. walking with Him means you have extra special protection from the attacks of the evil one and less susceptible to his snares and traps (for a fuller view of this please see the screwtape letters by CS Lewis). taking this narrow path means you catch a glimpse of Heaven before you get to take in its beauty when you step into eternity. it means you have a fully paid for calling card with unlimited credit to the phone of the Most High. it means you have a hand to yank you up when you wallow, a lifeline to pull you out of the miry clay, a surety to set your feet upon a rock and establish your steps (psalm40).

in the past two days i talked through my struggles with two different friends, both gave me the same perspective in different words, the same encouragement in a different way. both reminded me of the depth of His love in a same, but different way. (: and for these gentle reminders of His presence in my life, i am always grateful.

and i assure you, that a lifetime of communion with your Creator is so much better than a lifetime without. taste and see the goodness of the Lord, for when you have truly tasted the sweetness of this walk, no matter how hard you try, you will never want to look back.