The Christian who compartmentalizes his or her life into two sections of the religious and the nonreligious has failed to grasp the big idea. The big idea is that all of life is religious or none of life is religious. To divide life between the religious and the nonreligious is itself a sacrilege. -R.C. Sproul

A big struggle for me is finding areas my life where I still have a segregation between who I am in Christ and who my flesh wants to be. Like my speech, or keeping pure thoughts, or trusting God for a godly woman. My foul language, adulterating heart, and faithless doubt can so often diverge my walk from where it ought to go. Then I don't look different from the world.

On the flip side, there are Christians I know whose lives are ashamed of the Gospel. They aren't excited about their relationship with God, they aren't living the great commission, they don't talk about the bible, and what's worse, they judge the ones who are doing those things. Those are Satan's favorite Christians. A stale faith, that in the back of your mind, will always be there to pick up later. The problem is, tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

Sure, I can be critical. I have a tendency to speak more harshly against apathy, or even worse, comfortability within Christendom, but I see the dire need for real people who love Jesus and desire God beyond "just getting by." I would much rather be stern with truth, lest I become soft and easily swayed. I feel like those who aren't holding to truth firmly and boldly will also not speak out against sin and heresy. God is increasingly teaching and showing me grace, but also leading me to places of no compromise.

Then I wonder: is God at this moment working on the heart of my future wife? Is he preparing me to plant a church? Am I cultivating godly habits to be a good, generous, humble steward? Because I pray that he is breaking her heart and showing her truth and her need to love him more than anything. I pray that God will one day lead me to pastoral ministry, because I have that burden in my heart and I deeply love his word. I pray that I can have a home and money, to bless and minister to people-offering love through hospitality, resources, meals, blessings- and most importantly, to provide for my family. I pray for these things every single day. I don't want to be on the fence. I don't want a distinction in my life; only evidence of a God fearing, Jesus loving man.

I pray for the people at the Rock. That our women will cultivate a godly, strong, biblical basis of right Christian womanhood. That our men will grow up and lead, and create a culture of Gospel-centric living to seek and confide in the Lord with complete teachability and humility. I'm learning a lot lately, and I'm very encouraged. And I still don't know much...which is also encouraging.

Soli Deo Gloria