"BE REAL" with God!

Now this isn’t easy. The pressure to perform and look ‘spiritual’ amongst other Christians can be very extreme at times – especially if you are in any type of leadership role within the Church. For we all know that leaders don’t have problems, they don’t have any ‘down’ times, and are always ‘on fire’ for God, right? They’re invincible! That’s why we made them our leaders. Modern day gladiators! Ok, so I’m going over the top now. Nevertheless, it is sad but true that the extra pressure leaders face in being ‘spiritual’ does lead to ‘performances’ devoid of the right heart condition. But it’s certainly not just the leaders that feel the pressure. Let me ask you a couple of questions – when was the last time you sat in a home group setting and felt you just had to pray because everyone else was and if you didn’t, people would think you are ‘un-spiritual’? (Always a worry if you’re one of the last to pray and all the best ‘Christian’ lines and phrases have already gone!) What about worship in Church? When was the last time you lifted your hands in worship to God while all the time you were just thinking of what’s for lunch, or maybe even, who was looking at you? Should we not rather remember the words of David that the Lord ‘tests the heart and is pleased with integrity’? Come on. If you are feeling dead as a hammer then that is what the Lord would like to hear. The Holy Spirit doesn’t work the reality of His presence into our life while we are still just putting on ‘a show’. But He does delight in those who are honest about the condition of their own heart and in humility, look to Him for the reality of the Christian life. It’s meant to be about pleasing Him, not pleasing man!