Discipline brings out Integrity

Have you ever just been so frustrated why things just don't work out? I bet you have. We all have. There are times when I'm like, "Come on, God! What the heck?! Why isn't this happening?!" or "Why is this happening!?" Its so funny how we think we know what is best for ourselves. We often think, "If only I had this...". But the truth is, that may not always be the best for us. Think about it, if I gave you a HUGE bag of M&Ms and yeah, you could eat the whole thing in one sitting and you would probably enjoy eating it. However, the side-effects wouldn't be as enjoyable. You would probably be pretty sick. Probably would be in the bathroom the rest of the night. You see, things that we think may be good for us, aren't always. "All things are permissible but not beneficial" I believe Paul talks about that somewhere in Philippians maybe? Now, I'm not saying that all our wants are bad but we just have to make sure it does not get in the way between us and the Lord. Jesus must come first in our life. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "..let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the CHAMPION, who initiates and perfects our faith." When something comes in the way between us and God, we need to throw it off. Now, me being a huge NOTRE DAME fan, (Yes, they are #1!!!), is not a bad thing. However, if I put ND in front of God by maybe thinking about ND way more than I think about God, or if I refuse to do something that God is calling me to do because ND is playing..then well, I need to recheck myself. God has made a humongous sacrifice through Jesus to call us to a life a abundance. That is the race He has set before us. Now, its not an easy life, but its a life that we may be truly fulfilled that nothing else could ever fulfill. Yes, even ND winning the championship can not compare to the life fulfilled God has given us. Though, it would be a great addition! :) With that life, comes discipline. In Hebrews continuing on in verses 5, 7 and 10 respectively, "...don't give up when He corrects you", "As you endure the divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own child", and "But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness". These verses are to show us the truth of God's discipline in our lives. Its not to make our life suck. Its not to hurt us and to make life no fun. Rather it is to make life more fun and make more of a "well-rounded" life. God wants us to be free and not slaves to addictions, feeling that "I have to do this or I"ll die!!" or "Well, in order to be cool or gain respect or popularity, I have to be this way or do this." God's like, "Really?? No you don't! You're life is going to be way more freeing, way more abundant, and way more awesome when you choose to follow My path I have for you." I promise, guys, I would NEVER go back to my old ways. Yes, I trip up sometimes, but what do you do when you fall?? You get back up! God isn't like, "Oops! You messed up! Get out!" He's there to extend His hand to you, pick you up and get you back on His path for you. Don't think its too late! Its too late when you're dead, but you're not so turn it around! God loves you so much! He loved you so much He died for you so you can have this abundant life. Don't give up, guys! Keep seeking, keep knocking, keep asking, and He'll reveal Himself to you more and more and more.