Pirating God....

I know that most of the time - I use this blog to help process through what God is teaching me. And today will, of course, be no different.

I have been involved in a struggle now for a little while. And while I know that my struggle is tame and probably severely trivial compared to the rest of humanity's struggles, it has been a problem for about 2 weeks now. Allow me to share with you, my problem: I WANT TO DOWNLOAD/STEAL MUSIC. You see, I use to believe that because it was called "file-sharing" it was not stealing. Even though I downloaded all of these really great albums and music at no cost to myself. I justified it in my own mind.

Well, leave it up to God to go ahead and mess up my routine! A couple of weeks ago, I was praying and asking God to reveal areas in my life where I was not meeting His Standards - and of course, He went ahead and jacked up my whole secret (and unknown even to me) life of thievery.

So, I have been obedient - and abandoned my life of crime - but it has not been easy. Let me just say, I am absolutely SICK of the music I use to run with every day. I hear the same songs, and am very bored with the same beat - and ready for some new tunes. So, I went to actually PAY for music, and I found out that music is expensive. If I am going to pay $1.29 a song - I need to REALLY REALLY like it! (I am a pretty cheap dude) So I am continuing to run to the same old stuff. Why? Because the music is important enough for me to try and steal, but not worth my time and money. I am willing to take it for free, but when it costs me something, I don't want it that bad!

As I was running this morning, God and I were having a "discussion". I was trying to convince Him that I was just in stealing music - and that He needed to let me do it. I was trying to "talk Him into" allowing me to go back to my life of crime! Of course, He wouldn't have it, and as I ran and pleaded - He opened my eyes...

How often, have I been guilty of using God. How much of my life have I told God that you are important enough for me to use, and take what I can get - as long as its for free! But the minute that He begins to require and ask things of me, and it starts to COST ME something - I abandon Him for my flesh? This was a sobering realization.

I have been SO guilty of pirating God, and haven't spent nearly enough time counting the cost - and willingly paying it! He is so worthy everything I have, and what if I truly invested into my walk, my relationship, my calling? What if - instead of just stealing from God; I bought into His way, His plan, His process, His purpose? I think I would find the fruit of the Spirit very evident in my life. I believe that the flesh would weaken as His Spirit in me grows and takes control. I think that the envy, bitterness, fear and pride would fade away - as love, boldness, generosity and humility took over.

So - this morning, my question is: are you pirating God? Or have you realized the value, and bought into who God is? Truly.