Arise from the Dead

Do you ever listen to yourself? I was at the One Nation Under God meeting last night. The crowd was slim and we were commenting that there was lots of competition. Monday night is prayer night at Amana so some folks were there. It was also the night of the Mardi Gras Queen’s parade and maybe some folks were there. I commented, and this is what I am referring to which I ask if you ever listen to yourself, “I hide for Mardi Gras and Halloween.” I got some knowing nods.

Today OC talks about spiritual initiative and “rising from the dead.” I don’t participate in Mardi Gras and Halloween because something in my spirit restrains me. But I haven’t really said anything to others. They seem to be so into it. It seems so important to them, such a large part of their lives, especially this year when the Mardi Gras celebration is an extension of the post Super Bowl party. They’re having so much fun. So I am silent and I hide.

I feel an urging to “arise from the dead” on this issue so I listen to OC: “All initiative is not inspired. A man may say to you – “Buck up, take your disinclination by the throat, throw it overboard, and walk out into the thing!” That is ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes in and says, in effect, “Buck up,” we find that the initiative is inspired…God does not give us overcoming life; He gives us life as we overcome.

Is there something you feel drawn to do? Are you considering if that initiative is God inspired? Maybe it’s time to make a move.

I find the day after Mardi Gras the former revelers are thinking, “Maybe all I did yesterday wasn’t such a good idea.” Maybe that’s the time to rise from the dead and say something. Pray for me.

Rise from the dead and
Be blessed.
Nick