Back to the real world...

I started a "new" job today. I returned to the IUPUI Math Dept. as an "office personnel." Yay rah! I now truly understand what Ashley has been talking about ...being completely bored at work. Allow me to raise my hand and join that bandwagon. I'm sure Charis would love to hop on as well. There's really nothing for me to do except answer phones, send a fax and make an occasional copy. I'll be working here the rest of the semester, so I'll be blogging a bit more.

Why is it hard for us to listen to the Holy Spirit? Sometimes, we think we know better and "it will be okay to do it this way." Or perhaps, our hearts are too lukewarm or dare I say cold?--to take heed of the warnings and encouragement.

It's like this: a mother tells her child to wear a coat to school, because it's cold outside. Instead, the child thinks, "Nah, I'll be alright, it's not that cold. Besides, I'll only be outside for a few minutes anyway." So the child walks to school without the coat...forgetting that he had outside recess for 20 minutes. He toughs it out, REALLY wishing he had listened to his mom. He arrives home after a frigid walk all the way from school and is greeted by his mom at the door. The young boy tells his mom that his hands are frozen and his ears feel like they're going to fall off. She looks at him with sad eyes and says, "I wish you would have listened..." The young boy hangs his head, ashamed and regretful. His mother lifts his chin and smiles, "I knew you didn't wear your coat, and thought you'd be freezing when you got home, so I made you some hot chocolate. Next time, you need to listen to what I tell you and be obedient."

Yes, corny scenario: but let's think about this for a moment. The young boy was given instructions by his authority figure. Instructions that were not difficult that would protect him. He turned out okay with only minor "injuries"--frostbite and embarrassment. His mom was there to A) welcome him B) reprimand and re-encourage him and C) forgive and continual to love him. Sometimes, we ignore the Holy Spirit's warning because "we know better" or sometimes because it's inconvenient to do what we're told. The Holy Spirit's instructions and guidance don't line up with our agenda, so we push it aside, only to realize afterwards, we REALLY should've listened and obeyed, just like the little boy REALLY should've worn his coat.

The short term effects on our walk with Christ are usually minimal, but in the long run we can do some pretty hefty damage. But just like the mom was there to take the little boy in her arms, so is God, our Father. But when are we going to put our foot down and say enough is enough? It's time to obey. Back to my original question: Why is it hard to obey the Holy Spirit? Or take heed to his warnings? After all, we HAVE given ourselves completely to Christ, right? Galatians 2:20 talks about "I have died with Christ and it's not I, but Christ who lives within me." So, if we're living in Christ and He in us, why do we pull the opposite way and try so very hard to keep our stubborn, idiotic ways? I want to know your thoughts....please leave me some comments.