cheeky

When I remember last Monday, and how I ate through a small bag of air-cookies right in a row and in my room, I kind of laugh. I don't know why; it's not really funny. I'd been on the internet all day, starting up a new project that has gone almost nowhere since that initial day (don't worry, I'm not worried). Today I almost copied the whole of Galatians chapter five into my journal, later realizing that chapter six was even more pertinent to my present state. By that time, I'd used up my arm strength and concentration in holding a pen, copying each word down without the usual sloppy hand (again, don't worry: my arm is stronger than I'm making it sound). If you have time (or even if you don't think you do), I recommend that you read both chapters. If I can use this word while speaking of the Bible, I'd say they're both pretty damn good. I mean it positively, of course.

I feel like I'm always starting up new projects in my head. Same with books and chapters--even books of the Bible. Maybe it's a phase--one that comes and goes, I hope. Today's major task is to clean things up a bit, though. Dust in the crevices of my heart: needs to go. Dust on the tops of my bookshelves: needs to go. And, yes, I am delaying to an extent. My mother told me last week that I should try to do the things that I least like to do first, and that way I will just get them out of the way. Seems like good advice, if I could only follow it.

But really, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Some of you may know the song. If I can walk in the Spirit, I am no longer bound to the law: grace is my covering, and the Spirit will lead me along a fruitful path--whatever that could mean in less abstract and more practical terms.

It's funny that things become this way. That the teachings that the Lord gives us are sometimes so abstract that it's hard to know how to take them, or how to make them real in our lives. I think this is why being obedient to the Lord is just a matter of keeping our eyes and our ears and our minds on Him, letting Him show us what to do and how to do it. And even if we don't feel like He's being very or in any way direct, if we are focused on Him--for sure He will not let us fail.

More abstract pontificating--but I hope it's not really that, that I'm only being dramatic and misusing words (like in the title, eh?). Sorry if my speeches ever annoy you. You can let me know for real--as long as you feel you have a just cause to be annoyed. I'd appreciate it, or would at least pretend to appreciate it. :) Through and through, I guess I'm just puzzling through my thoughts. Also, since I haven't written on here in more than a week, I decided to do so on here. If I can figure out a way to be more specific about what's been happening, I'll write more later.

Following Jesus is not one of those new projects and, I realize, it can't ever be that: for He wouldn't let it. Following Jesus is living--walking!--in His footsteps, a continual renewing of the mind. So... I want to think about how He has been renewing my mind; correcting my attitudes; changing my heart.... yahta yahta yahta. You know the game.

Your turn.