That Nagging Feeling...I Should Be Doing Something!

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Hebrews 3:18-19 "And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

Hebrews 3:18-19 (The Message) "For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed."

Hebrews 4 (Read it!)

I am so thankful the ecclesia is made of people who have differing gifts and some of those brothers and sisters are further along the Way then I. Father chooses to use those further down the road to clear it for those of us not were they are yet. One of those brother's in my life is David Fredrickson of FamilyRoomMedia.com. This week David wrote the second of what looks like it may be a series of blog articles on the substitutes we who are in Christ often unconsciously make for simple relationship with Christ. The blog entry that I'm refering is titled "Another Substitute."

Father used David this week to free me from something I have mentioned numerous times on this blog, the nagging feeling that I could or should being doing something different or more.

The New Testament passages I listed above came alive to me this week and this is the first week that I have not felt at least in the back of my mind like I need or should be doing more of something or doing something different.

The Spirit showed me foundation of such a thinking is unbelief or doubt that Jesus' sacrificial work on the cross is genuinely enough to keep those who place faith in Him in right relationship with Father and in His good favor. That thinking is fed by the fleshes desire for self-righteousness so that we can feel the pride of self-esteem.

Wow! I have to admit it stings to be that transparent!