Add on Christianity

I've moved into an upper class area, and I've seen that Jesus easily becomes an add on to an already full life. I'm not judging, becuase even in my own life I've seen how easily one can slip from Jesus being my "all in all' to a 'nice to have'.

We are called to give Him everything, and we need to realize without Him we are truly empty and naked and even wretched (see Rev 3:14-22). But as I have seen this happen in my own heart, I ask how can we prevent our hearts from hardening and forgetting we need Jesus for our every breath.

The Bible says to seek God with all our hearts. Jer 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." James 4:8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." But if I'm honest I fill my heart with add ones. Because if I'm brutley honest it's easier to turn on the T.V. then it is to seek God (ouch!). You see T.V. has an instant reward and I feel better, because for that little bit I forget my problems. And that's the thing with all things we gravitate to, whether it be drugs, people, busyness, possessions etc., they fill the hole. But the problem with these things is it only fills the hole for 5 seconds. Coming to God is harder, takes longer and sometime more painful since it means facing our problems, facing the pain and not escaping it; long enough for Him to make us whole.

You see seeking God takes time and effort (I'm talking about really knowing His heart), and there are no five steps, even though it be easier since we humans prefer religion over true relationship. You see sometimes when we seek Him there is nothing, sometimes there's pain we need to face, things He asks us to do which are hard, other times there's a quiet peace and every now and then God shows up with His manifest (seen) presence & it is GLORIOUS!!! But it is hard work, and means seeking Him and keep on pressing on, as well as laying aside our idols.

So my challenge for us all, let's put aside the add ons, switch off the TV and make Jesus central again, no matter the cost.

May the LORD bless you as you seek Him

May He keep you from being satisfied by idols

May He make His face shine upon you Gloriously

And may He give you peace in the in between.