But God, I don't want to.

Seriously, why can’t life just be easy?

I'd rather live in a world where I get what I want.

Fresh coffee, comfy jeans, no traffic, pedicures, sunshine, plenty of good books to read. Kids who never act up. A spouse who is majorly attentive. Lots of coconut cream pie. And every day is a good hair day! 

Who's with me, ladies?!?!

Too many times, I don't get my way. Why doesn’t God just hand us what we need? Why do we have to sow good around us to reap good in return? Honestly, I don’t mind working for it, if it doesn’t cost me too much.

I want spring, summer and fall without having to experience winter. I want food that pleases my taste buds without adding extra weight or stealing energy. I want to have pets without putting any effort into taking care of them. I want to have utilities without having to pay the bills. I want fresh groceries without waiting in line.

I want a house that cleans itself. Can I get an ‘Amen’?



Over the past couple weeks, God has shown me some areas in my life that don’t please Him, things tucked in corners and labeled 'no big deal'. He is doing some pruning, and I don't like it much. I was quite comfortable with my old ways, demanding my rights, catering to my flesh, living in the comfort of momentary pleasures.

Usually, I enjoy following Christ and doing good. Yet I recently hit a wall, where I really don't want to do some of the things He has been asking me to do. Give up those bad habits. Become more disciplined. Invest in my future.


I know those are all very good things. Because little by little, He's making me more like Jesus.

But right now, I just don't want to. 

Yesterday morning as I struggled to come to grips with letting go of what I want, I turned on the TV, and the words from an inspiring preacher hit me hard.

“Better to sacrifice now and do the right thing than to disobey and displease God.”



Cringing, I paused to rethink my perspective. My resistance did not make God very happy. I may not enjoy giving up those things that appeal to my flesh, but God has called me to a life of excellence. Righteous matters, even in the little things. Throwing a little tizzy fit because I don’t get my way is, well, childish, and certainly not a good attitude for the daughter of the King of Kings.

In the book of Romans, Paul talks about the struggle between earthly desires and living by the Spirit. I don’t want to disappoint my God. Yet I don't want to give up some of those ungodly attitudes and behaviors brought on by my old nature.

I can't have both, my victory in Christ and my self-centered ways. 

Something's gotta give.

I sure like it when God smiles down on me. Maybe resisting the sanctification process isn't really what I want, in the long run.   

What do I want more:
To stay comfortable, live by my fleshly desires and blend in with the world?
- or  -
To set aside my comfort and my rights to become more like Christ and make God proud?

"Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Gal 6:8

Blessings, Jen