Entangled?

The question mark should help you differentiate the blog title from a song title of one of my favourite prog rock bands of the seventies - if you don't know what I am talking about then just let it pass, if you do please read on, though I hope you won't be too disappointed to discover that it has no further connection with music!

As is my want I am in the habit of seeking the Lord for a word at the beginning of each new year. Of course it is not the only time in the year when the Lord speaks but I have found it a healthy discipline and have, at the end of the year, been very blessed to look back and see how apt the word has been. (But then this should not surprise in the least as we know that He knows the end from the beginning...) I share these thoughts with you for two reasons:

Firstly, anything based on the word of God has to be good for edifying and building people up, and I hope that this is the case for any and all who stumble upon this blog. Secondly, I trust that it will be an encouragement to you to reach out and seek the word of the Lord for yourself for this coming year. I believe that the creator wants to speak to his creation and through that process draw us deeper in our relationship to Him.

In Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) we read:
"Therefore, ... , let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

God's word to all His children is to run the race He has marked out for us, and His desire is that we do so totally unencumbered from anything that would seek to hold us back - so the question comes back to each of us to consider "What is preventing you/me/us from fulfilling the purposes of God?" As I reflected on this for my own life I realised that what came to mind broadly fell into four categories and I encourage you to take some time before the Lord to consider each of these in turn. Ask Him to give you insights into each of these. Trusting that as we go through the process we will, each of us, know new levels of liberty and passion as we seek to serve the Lord in our generation and in this season.

1/ Are there circumstances that seem to hold you back? 
ie Fill in the blank ... If it weren't for _____ then I could serve the Lord. Chances are that whatever you came up with will fall into one of two categories. Either the Lord could be challenging you to trust these things into His hands, after all before He calls He knows the circumstances of our lives. Or He is challenging you to wrestle in prayer with Him, trusting in Him, to breakthrough and remove the hindrance?

2/ Are there attitudinal hindrances? 
By which I mean are there areas in our lives where we need to realign our values and affections with His? Are our lives shaped by His priorities? Make a list of all the things that occupy your time, resources and thoughts ... how do they match with the Lords? More importantly, where did He come on the list? (Be honest, I dare you!)

3/ Are there spiritual hindrances? 
You may need to pray through this with someone you trust as we have an incredible capacity for self-deception - however we trust the Spirit of God who leads is into all truth, and praying with another can create that environment where we humble ourselves before the Lord and allow Him to search our hearts. If we are honest is there a fear/bondage that needs specifically addressing in Christ?

4/ Is there sin in our lives? 
There are two perspectives to this consideration - the first being the necessity of a walk of holiness ie dealing with the 'stuff' we have in our lives through repentance and, secondly, maturing in our understanding of grace ie. growing our understanding of the wonder of forgiveness and that we are actually forgiven. (I blogged about the need to walk in holiness earlier.)

Pause for reflection on each of these four areas ... let the Spirit lead you as you ponder His word, and through this may you be increasingly liberated to serve Him.

If there is anything specific that you would like to share then please feel free to do so.

If there is something that you wish to pray through with someone else or, perhaps you would like to be held accountable to a decision you have made, then I strongly recommend you sharing this with someone you trust, perhaps a friend, a mature Christian, a Pastor, who will test the word with you and help you keep it in mind as you go through the year.

So, what has the Lord been saying to you recently?