Monday, August 23, 2010

The Quest for Holiness

Ever been thirsty? Not just wanting a drink but so parched that you couldn't quench your thirst?When you are willing to drink almost anything and not sure if you will ever get enough to drink? What a feeling it is to finally get a drink and relief.

In 1 Peter it tells us to be holy like God is holy. I say I want this but my actions don't always match up. In theory it sounds amazing but is that all it is? A theory? When I am thirsty I crave a drink. Just something to drink, doesn't have to be sweet tea, root beer, or pomegranate juice. Anything wet will do; luke-warm water will work as long as it is wet. Why can't I place the same expectations on my pursuit of holiness? Wait...why don't I thirst for holiness like I do for a drink?

There is something in us that tells us there is suppose to be more to following Jesus than getting up early once a week to sing some songs and pray for each other. But what is it? Where is the formula? Where is the outline or 7 steps to achieve holiness? Why do I settle for seeing God but not personally tasting Him? I wouldn't just look at the drink but rather I would savor every drop.

Is it a matter of discipline? There are books and scholars who suggest that with proper discipline you begin to prefer holiness, I haven't experienced that result. I am pretty convinced it has little to do with discipline. I do not think that making it a part of a routine is the answer either. I think our pursuit of holiness is directly connected to our willingness to sacrifice. What if our attempt to be holy is directly impacted by our willingness to sacrifice the "good" things in life to be holy? Are we willing to sacrifice? Are we willing to push each other? Or are we willing to settle? Would we be willing to sacrifice something each week for the next three months to crave holiness?


I want to thirst for holiness!

Amazing Grace

I have sung this song so many times and every time I sing it I still get a lump in my throat. There are a few songs that do this to me no matter how many times I sing them. Maybe this is because these song remind me of the true condition of my heart. It is easy to tell some one to trust God but when faced with the curve balls of life I seem to try to take control. This blog will chronicle my quest to pursue holiness as I desperately crawl through life struggling for answers.