Well, the inevitable has happened.  I’m sitting at my desk on this beautiful Monday morning staring at my computer screen, and my annual trek to the beach with my family is nothing but a memory.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the memories we made this year.  I’m also grateful for the time of rest and relaxation, but facing the fact it’s over can cause serious longing for the past – even if the past is just a week ago!

My struggle with returning to the “real world” after vacation each year is simple.  How do I return to my productive work life while maintaining the rest level I achieve on vacation?  I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to make that happen, unless I look to another source for the rest part of the equation.  I enjoy vacation because I don’t really have to do anything I don’t want to do, but in my “real life” I do lots of things that aren’t my favorite.

Here’s the question born out of my thoughts about vacation for this morning – and maybe beyond.  How do I reconcile doing what I want to do with doing what God wants? Our study in 1 Peter has been one of bold questions and in your face scripture.  Peter didn’t stutter giving the charges to us as believers in Jesus about living out our faith daily.  Take yesterday’s lesson as an example.  Learn to live in peace – not live “at” peace but IN  peace.  How on earth can we possibly expect to live inside peace all the time?  The biggest thing most Christians in America miss today is their relationship with Christ being THE most important thing in their lives.  We want Jesus as an accessory to our lives.  We want Him to be there when we need Him, but we tell Him to stay out of certain places, circumstances, and relationships.  The truth is, we only want Him to be around when we feel like we need Him.  If we think we can handle something on our own, then we’re good leaving Him on the sidelines.

Here’s the thing: He can’t work and move in our lives without our total surrender to Him.  As long as we’re trying to get our way, and tag Him on as an accessory, then He’s blocked from changing our lives.  I heard it this way one time:  God is a gentleman, He’s never going to force His way into your life.  If you say you don’t need Him or want Him, then He’s going to allow you to do it your way.

I hope you can take a few minutes and chew on that today.  God loves you more than you could imagine, but He’s not going to usurp your will and force you to the best path for your life.  The choice is yours.  Follow Him or do your own thing.

WG