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The ”I” in the Sky
The problem with the Solomon of old, and us, who would be the new Solomon, is that we keep thinking only of ourselves, the reiterative and recalcitrant, “I”. We are unable to say “NO” to “I”. As for happiness, purpose and contentment, we ought to know better as Christians. We were taught that these dwell in a very different world … the world devoid of “I”.
But we choose to refuse and reject our lessons from the Bible. We scribe more and more in cyberspace our thoughts, our desires, our pleasurable moments, our acquisitions, our purchases, our grandiose plans, our extravagant meals. We scribe more and more of this great “I” in the sky in the world of the clouded dreams. Does this not ring a bell and sound familiar? Is this not just as old King Solomon was in Ecclesiastes chapter two?
SAYING “NO” TO “I”
It can, and it will, if only we muster enough courage and strength to say the hardest word of all to “I”; that of “NO”.
If we lack the ability and the desire to say “NO” to the self serving, self selfish “I”, we lose the ability to say “YES” to a better life, a life of purpose, happiness and contentment that which was intended by our Lord Jesus. When we say “NO” to “I”, we are committing ourselves to a higher and greater purpose. We must reject and stay far away from this unrepentant and domineering “I”, bound and bolted on tightly to this dying world of man and remember, instead, to seek the will of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who wants us free from these shackles. Unless we can say “NO” to this “I”, we will never be able to break free from this plague which afflicted old King Solomon and which continues to afflict so many of us wannabes.
To many still in their youth and at the peak of life, the rallying call of this age continues to be “Have it all”. With this battle cry stems the cause of the problem that “I” can do it all, and “I” can be and have everything, even if not all at once, but if “I” can work for it, “I” will eventually attain it. “I” must have it. We continue to serve the “I” as we shy away from making the hard and right choice of saying “NO” to “I”. We fail to see or choose to ignore the irreconcilable conflict and dilemma, that to say “YES” to “I”, is an affirmation of the self but a rejection and refusal to accept the pathway of the Lord.
We must instead say “NO” to “I” which translates to “No way” to a hundred desires, “No Thank You” to a thousand temptations, and “BE GONE Satan”, as your riches in millions and the height of the glory and fame promised are but nothing to me … NOTHING.
REMEMBERING OUR CREATOR
“For those filled with youthful vitality and vigour, seeking to carve a path for ourselves, remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come and when you take no pleasure in them.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Fear the Lord, keep His word and stay on His pathway to salvation, so that, when the day of the Lord comes as He surely will, each and every one of us will be counted as worthy to wear the crown of righteousness. Perhaps, through the divine mercies of our Lord Jesus, this “I” will be saved, and will not be one of those hapless billions of souls vanquished by Satan, in the nefarious scheme to bring all of humanity with him, the fallen angel, into damnation.
What will become of our “I” … the chapter is left open, the journey is not finished. Many are in grave danger of falling. That is the honest truth. Can we pull ourselves back from the brink of this everlasting pit? Do we have the courage, strength and the moral fortitude to overcome these trials of life?
Let us stern ourselves and resolve to overcome this “I” and succeed where our ancestors, Adam and Eve, failed. Bring on this new battle cry of “Jesus Christ”, our Lord and Savior, and He will lead us ever onward.
Less of self, but More of Thee, Lord.
Please join us for the True Jesus Church’s bi-annual Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation. See details below.
18-21 April, 2024 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation
Thursday, 18 April, 2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, 19-20 April, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, 21 April, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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For online streaming, please click here.
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Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org