Am I just offering a slice, or the whole?

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 NLT
http://bible.com/116/gal.5.25.NLT

How often do we allow God in certain parts or areas of our lives,  but leave Him out of others? Remembering Him during specific times of religious observation and then placing Him back on the shelf as we go about the rest of our life.

This kind of partial interest in God opens up our lives for all kinds of negative influences over our lives and doesn’t take advantage of the power of the Spirit that could make us Holy and equipped for His use throughout our daily lives. This kind of partial interest in God leads us into empty,  repetitive religious practice with little or no real substance or relationship with God, with little or no change to our hearts and our lives.

But this is not the picture of a follower of Christ – even if it is an accurate depiction of many who participate in religious ceremonies and call themselves Christians because they were once baptized, or once said a prayer, or once called out Lord, Lord. And even those who study diligently and can speak about the Word of God to great depths of theology,  or who perform great works in His name – if they are doing it for their own purposes and glory and honor,  they have already received their reward and they will realize in the end that He never knew them.

Can we begin to see how narrow the gate is that leads to life and that it involves a full and living relationship with our Savior? Can we see the dangers of taking the broad path of the way the world thinks is right but that leads to destruction? Can we see the value in clinging to the Lord and letting the Holy Spirit guide us and lead us in all areas of our lives?

And I don’t say this to shame you over your past, but to encourage you to press in,  to draw close to God – because when we straw close to Him, He draws close to us. We should understand the perspective and attitude of Hope that turns or eyes toward the Lord for His guidance –

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
James 4:7-10 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jas.4.7-10.NLT

And this humility is where we find Hope and where our eyes are trained to look to Him as our guide and our comforter – and it leads us to a life of faithfulness when we learn to remain in this stance,  this position of reliance upon God in all areas of our lives. And a faithful life walking in the Spirit with Him leads to all kinds of fruit and blessings in our lives as we become a blessing and a refreshing renewal to those around us,  because we know love – true Godly love that pours out in service even onto those who are undeserving or who might consider themselves our enemies or enemies of God. And this is where the wonder of God can be seen, in that peace that men can’t understand,  in that love that is given with no expectation of repayment,  in that amazing grace that is extended even though it isn’t deserved or earned.

Do we realize that we are missing out on opportunities to share that love when we only let Him into parts of our lives? Are we compartmentalizing our lives and missing out on so many blessings – and in turn withholding blessings from others for their lives as well?

Lord, help us to open our lives fully to be filled and led and overflowing with the annointing of your Holy Spirit. Don’t allow us to be satisfied or complacent or lukewarm in religious knowledge about you – but help us press in and draw close so that we know you and you know us. Share together in our lives and walk with us, today. Help us,  you are our hope,  you are the way, you are the life that we seek – tale our life, our whole life,  and male it yours. Amen.