A white flag is hard to find

Some say your twenties are for discovery, others say they're just for fun. I say they're the hardest years of my life thus far. As I approach my mid-twenties, I realize more and more just how important every decision is, because, right now, I'm building the foundation upon which the rest of my life will stand. Scary business, right? So, why is it so hard to wake up and pay attention? Well, for one, its much easier to crawl under the covers and binge watch Netflix than make important life decisions. Sometimes it's more comfortable to pretend those decisions don't matter -- at least for a Saturday. I'm beginning to realize my spiritual life is no different and, if I begin to count, I can think of many “Netflixes” that hinder my spiritual growth. I've also come to realize that surrendering my wants and desires for God's isn't so easy and, if I convince myself, a white flag is hard to find... The Apostle Paul is known for his dedication to spreading the gospel. He was on fire for Jesus, had an unshakeable desire to reach the lost and a love for the Church that inspired him to write many letters -- letters which would become a good majority of the New Testament. However, before he was Paul, he was Saul, a Jewish scholar who hated Christians and sought to kill them. It took an encounter with Jesus, on the road to Damascus and temporary blindness for Saul to see “the err of his ways.” See Acts 9 for the story. While we may not be running around killing the innocent, it is certain there are many Sauls who would make excellent Pauls if only we would just listen. But what will it take? Blindness? Does God have to hit us in the head with a brick? Why is it so hard to trust sometimes-- to let go of the faded plastic pearls and open our hands to a shiny, genuine strand? We sell ourselves short-- in life, in relationships, in our careers and, especially, in our relationship with Christ. Because, like Paul, we are meant for so much more. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him, and Luke 12:22-31 says Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on... Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? And, lastly, Deuteronomy 28 1-68 says, and if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl... In conclusion, I believe my twenties are about realizing my full potential, learning to succeed in my career, my personal life and, most importantly, leaving Saul behind and learning to become like Paul. It's not easy, nor do I have it mastered, but i'm holding up my little white flag-- God will do the rest.