Quit making excuses
‘Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble!’
At CLC we have just come out of 40 days of prayer and fasting. And despite being so excited about it all I’m ashamed to say that towards the end of it, instead of using the time I had designated each evening for prayer, I spent it scrolling through hours and hours of garbage on my tablet.
I have gone for way too long neglecting my prayer life, and I struggled immensely because of it, particularly during my time at university. The reality is, I cant afford to go a single day without praying. I have spent the majority of my life so lost, searching for purpose and acceptance in all the wrong places. But bringing the weight of my daily struggles and worries to the Cross, Talking to God daily, reading his word and waiting for his response just fills me with so much peace.
Whether through song or prayer I am always claiming that I want to give all of my life to God. And I honestly do want to live every day for Him, but how can I do that If I do not start with a foundation of prayer? And how do I lay that foundation when I’m completely lost in a never ending train of youtube videos or facebook posts?
I’ve decided to give up my tablet, and if it continues to be a problem I’ll give up facebook too. In Mathew 18:7-9 Jesus says: ‘Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.’
I’m not trying to say technology is the devil. I’m not saying that everyone else should give up their devices either. I’m sure plenty of you are capable of being responsible with your time and have incredible prayer lives as a result. I simply wanted to bring to your attention something that has had me stumbling for years.
Right now the enemy is doing everything in its power to keep you out of a loving relationship with God. What is keeping you from your daily prayer? I urge you, whatever it may be, cut it out of your life as soon as possible. Quit making excuses to get out of spending time with the best friend you will ever have.
Levi Cooke
