There are few things in life more disturbing then a man divided against himself. What comes to mind of course are images of failed marriages, broken homes and wrongful deaths. These are quite disturbing, but even so, a man or woman divided within is horrifying. Half the woes of the human experience come from within ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln once said that a house divided against itself cannot stand, just like the nation he brought through it's darkest hour would have fell if not united. Much in the same respect is a person, when torn inside is unstable, prone to mishap, failure, and hopelessness. The burden falls to responsibility and ownership. When our country decided to unite great things came to pass, the abolition of slavery, and on to the bill of rights. We as people, as individuals are given the same burden.
The burden to unite from within and without, the personal responsibility of every action, every thought and every nuance ultimately falls upon ourselves. There are of course things out of our hands, given to chance, given to the decisions of others, given to authority and things of a higher nature. Even so, every person is accountable for all aspects within the realm of influence.
We are accountable first to God, then ourselves, and finally to each other.
It is easy to position the blame outside of ourselves. To look at our short comings and failures, and say it's not my fault. It's even easier not to care, to go forth as if nothing matters. We can compensate for anything in this manner. For Example, I myself have certain difficulties in the social realm of consideration and conversation, for many years I blamed all the people who stuck with the 1st impression, all the people who didn't grant me a second chance. Instead of realizing it was my place to learn how to interact with others, I pinned my failure on others.
The responsibility is ours alone. In all things, we are the ones who are accountable, all things considered. We are accountable to God, and we are accountable to ourselves. A divided person has no accountability, has no mirror from which to receive an objective view. This person has no foundation to stand upon, or they in reality have a firm foundation, they choose not to stand on the one they have. In life it all returns to the foundation. The world view, the life view, the view of self.
We are all three fold in nature, body, soul, and spirit. Some of us alive in all three aspects, and some of us alive in only two. A divided person can be either, without exclusivity. Health comes from a focus on God. Wholeness comes from the relationship with the Lord of Hosts, whether present or non existent. We can have health in the flesh and be dead inside. We can be dying in the flesh and bursting with life from within, all dependant on one relationship.
Health in the Body comes from a focus on God, the life lived in His prescence acknowledging the truth that our body is in fact His temple. If we take care of the temple, there is much reward. Energy, tranquility, focus, and good health come from a proper perspective of the body we've been given. Abstaining from things unprofitable to the health of the body is imperative, and pleasing to God. Giving God our bodies, is not only one of the smartest things we can do, but it's also a form of worship.
Wholeness comes also from a healthy soul. Our souls get burdened by the guilt and shame of sin. When we abide in Christ and rest in Him, we understand the truth about salvation and forgiveness. We realize the reality of our condition and know that only through Christ are we ever clean. When we put Jesus in proper perspective as the Most High, as our Lord and not just someone we happen to believe in, then we find power to be whole. We find all the love and grace we need when we fail, all the mercy to pick us up again, and all we need to change. When we see Jesus as He truly is, and live accordingly, we live the abundant life he spoke of.
Our spirit can be torn within, our hearts broken and our lives in pieces. The Holy Ghost intercedes for us and God knows our needs. We were meant to worship, to have intimacy with our God. To be whole inside and out, and to be united in Body, Soul, and Spirit. God's prescence is in us through His Spirit, and only He can make us whole. Before this can take place, we have to take ownership, and responsiblity.
God is not a magic fairy who instantly changes people, making them how they think they should be. Trials come, testing happens, life gets hard, very hard, and in the midst of those times, the opportunity to worship in spirit in truth comes along. When we live for God, we come through the trials and temptations, mature and strong. We come to God trusting in Him alone for wholeness, for identity, and for worth.
We can all be whole, but we have to live with conviction. We have to face the man in the mirror and be willing to surrender every area, all aspects of this life. Friends, Family, Relationships, Money, Entertainment, Education, Occupation, Purpose, Reason, Knowledge, Everything.
This is the only way to be whole. We must die to the world. Die to Ourselves. Be alive to God the Christ. Surrender. Trust.
"Why are you striving, these days? Why are you trying to earn grace? Why are you crying? Let me lift up your face. Just don't turn away."
"Why are you looking for Love? Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough? To where will you go child? Tell me where will you run? To where will you run?"
" Cause I'll be by your side where ever you fall, in the dead of night whenever you call and please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you. "
" Look at these hands, and my side. They swallowed the grave on that night. When I drank the world's sin so I could carry you in, and give you life. I want to give you life."
" 'Cause I'll be by your side where ever you fall, in the dead of night, whenever you call and please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you."
Tenth Ave. North - By Your Side