Abandoning desires that are fueled by Consumerism requires the removal of 'Me' at the center of all things and reinstating Christ as the focal point. The first commandment, as communicated through Moses, establishes that there should be none above God. When Joshua received direction from God to follow the law Moses outlined, he was instructed to "be strong and very courageous." Not once, but three times, is this phrase reiterated in the first nine verses of Joshua 1. Following God's plan requires more strength than we could ever muster on our own. It is only by His grace, through faith, that we find favor with Him. Noah was said to have found favor with God. His faith was marked by action that defied the culture of the time. Imagine the incredulous conversations shared by those in Noah's community as he fashioned the ark! Regardless of the potential pressure to conform, he labored and carried out "all that God commanded him," to the letter.
The decision to follow the One who calls us by name can prove to be challenging, when the call to creating our own happiness is presented with such allure. God desires that we would know Him, be known by Him, and make Him known in our world.
Is there an undeniable desire, woven through the very essence of your being, which seems counter-cultural? What wakes us in the middle of the night and calls us to intercessory prayer? Does the direction of my life require courage, or am I satisfied with idea that the demands of my day can be maintained on my own strength? Will our hearts break at the sight of injustice, or are today's marketing campaigns enough to blind our eyes to the staggering realities of a broken world? Pleasantville, USA may be one of the most comfortable places to call Home, but, like Joshua and Noah, we are called to break out of our comfort zones and pursue His calling. . . with reckless abandon.
