Thursday, September 11, 2008

Let's just be honest here

What is this blog for anyway? Is it to portray an image of me that is perfect? That's what I'm tempted to do.

But let's be honest.

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.

I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it.

I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.

My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

Sound familiar?

Let me put give you a simple example: (its not really what I'm talking about)

I plan to exercise tomorrow. I REALLY want to exercise tomorrow. I know it will benefit me in so many ways. I know that I will feel better after I do. I know it won't really take that long and that it will be worth it.

When tomorrow comes, I DON'T DO IT. I don't have an excuse, I'm not too busy, I just don't do it. And then I'll do something totally counterproductive, like eat ice cream.

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise.

I don't understand it about myself, but then I read about myself in Romans 7. And it turns out its not something I can do on my own.

Here's the answer: I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.


Praise God!

3 comments:

  1. We can all relate in one way or another. I don't have any problem getting myself to the gym...BUT ask me to eat sensibly and I fail.
    I fail.
    I fail.
    I fail.
    Lord help me if I ever stop going to the gym.

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  2. Katie, If only we could be walking buddies again ... I miss those days in Marg Nance. And we thought that was early! Imagine what time we would have to get up now to go for a walk before going to school! Ahh! But those were the days ... I enjoyed those early morning walks (when we were able to pull ourselves out of the bed!). I miss you, girl! And I'm praying for you.

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  3. As many times as I've heard Paul say just this thing I've never applied it to conflicting dieting/exercising plans. You hit home here!
    We live in a sinful world and need a savior. That savior is Jesus Christ. Thank you for your post.

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