March 18: Insight Post by Rusty Coram
Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram
I am grateful to my parents for many things, and one of them is their example of making physical fitness and regular exercise a part of their lives. I have adopted this same mentality for decades. Now, some people may think that at this point, I just love working out and that it comes easily and naturally. It is, more often than not, a very deliberate choice that requires me to overcome my natural inclination. While I seldom look forward to working out, I can honestly say there has never been a time afterwards that I have regretted it. In a similar way, praying and focusing on gratitude, thankfulness, and joy are similar. All too often, I enter into praying with an agenda to present to God – things I am asking for myself and others. To begin with praise, thanks, and appreciation for who He is, and all He has already done requires me to choose to go against my feelings of urgency and action. With this in mind, the following passage in our reading this week speaks loudly,
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NLT)
What I actually see in front of me can blind me to the reality of God and His powerful presence. I have tons of evidence of His goodness and faithfulness, but I need to deliberately slow down and focus to remember. Joy is fueled by this, and when I choose to do it, like with my workouts, I never regret it. Joy comes as a by-product of trusting God and obeying Him. When we choose this path, we will discover the “inexpressible joy” Peter reminds us of.
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org