Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Sunday, April 26th, 2009
Jeremiah 20:8-9
For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Life is difficult sometimes as a Christian. People label me as a fanatic, as crazy, as consumed with religion. Why is this, because I talk about my God in my life as much as is possible. God is the center of my life...not perfectly of course. I continually repent for not loving God with all my being, for being carried away by the world and its entrapments, and not giving God my all. However, overall, God takes the highest place in my life and all I want to do is live for Him.

The prophet Jeremiah, in his day, when he spoke the prophecies of God, was beaten, thrown in prison, ridiculed, despised and rejected as a fanatic, as a lunatic in many cases. Jeremiah's situation, which doesn't even compare to mine, was one in which the words of God that he spoke would cause him much shame, reproach, and ridicule all the day. So Jeremiah's natural reaction, much like mine is to say, oh, its not really worth it to talk about God to the world, what good is it doing, it is only bringing me shame and trouble, and they don't care anyway? When he said this to himself, he then realized something about himself, that I know is true about me. That the passion and pleasure and desire for God is critically tied to his and my life essence. It is not possible to forget God, it is not possible to stop talking about Him and His mighty works. For, Jeremiah's, and my soul would writhe in pain and anguish. For our God consumes us with an intensity like a fire. We must speak of God all the day long, for He lives in our souls.

Even if I wanted to stop talking about and speaking of God I couldn't. If I did stop, the pain of a fire within my soul would compel me to express my love and devotion to God. My soul would become tired of holding it in. It would not be possible to hold the passion for God in my soul, because He put it there, and His Holy Spirit lives within my soul.

Oh God, may you take away any temptation that I might have to not express the wonder of your name to the world. May the passion for you that you have put in my soul consume me even stronger. May I not be able to go even an hour without expressing the beauty of your name, the wonder of your grace, and the love that you have shown me in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.