What is Your Stimulus?

Stimulus (noun) - something that incites to action or exertion or quickens feeling, action, thought, etc.

I'm sure all of us have been intrigued and excited by the free money the government is insisting on giving us through the recent Economic Stimulus program. There's no doubt I will be stimulated to spend some of the money when I receive it. Why couldn't they have given me this extra cash back in February when Cubs tickets went on sale? This prompted me, even (dare I say it?) stimulated me to ponder what stimulates me on a day-to-day, ongoing basis. Let's face it, the economic stimulus check is a one-time deal, a type of bonus just for being a tax-paying American. It should cover at least one or two fill-ups of our gas tanks at our local gas station! :)

I had a two-fold thought process on this issue. The first one was personal and the second one was for our nation on this Memorial Day weekend.

What is my stimulus? I had a few things that came to mind immediately - a Cubs victory, an encouraging word from a friend, making other people laugh and smile (especially when they are going through difficult times), fine grilled burgers at a summer cookout, a fun road trip in the Black Stallion, my alarm clock, my cell phone, etc. There is nothing wrong with the items on this stimulus list. However, they are all very temporal and short-lived (especially Cubs victories at times and those grilled burgers which I devour very quickly). There has to be something more and something deeper that stimulates me in order for my life to have meaning beyond the earthly here and now.

Galatians 5: 16-26 "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not
gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But
if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity
and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of
rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and
the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not
inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentlenesss, and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature
with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step
with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each
other".

I need to keep in step with the Spirit and seek to lean on His wisdom, guidance, and counsel in all of the decisions and choices I make on a daily basis. If the Spirit is my primary stimulus, I will be on the best track to grow as an individual and make an impact for God's Kingdom during this life and with the people God brings across my path. This is no easy goal to accomplish. As the Scripture tells us, the sinful nature isn't going to just disappear without a fight. It is a powerful force that constantly whispers in our heads that we should just take the easy way out and pursue any kind of stimuli that keeps us temporarily happy and makes some of life's pains and difficulties disappear for a short time. This is a constant, daily struggle for me and I need to pray for focus and discipline to allow the Spirit to be the stimulus in my life that comes before all others. I want the fruit of the Spirit to constantly be in my heart and felt by everyone I encounter.

This brings me to the topic of our nation on this Memorial Day weekend. Our government felt the need to send us money since they feel our economy is suffering. Yet, we are the wealthiest, most abundant, and most excessive nation in the world. I agree that the economy is struggling, jobs are harder to find these days, and it's becoming more difficult to make ends meet, but we are far from a nation that is about to collapse or disintegrate due to a lack of money or resources. While the economic stimulus plan is a nice and pleasant surprise, we need a nation-wide Spirit stimulus to occur. An infusion of the Spirit would do our country well and make a greater and more eternal impact than any amount of money could ever make. We are a nation in desperate need of revival. If we all choose to take up our cross daily and allow the Spirit to be our stimulus, we will all be revived and experience new life. All of the men and women who served and are currently serving our country in the military are the perfect example for us all. I'm especially reminded of my grandfather who was not only a great soldier, but a great Christian soldier who chose the Spirit as his stimulus on a daily basis. If you are going through a difficult time right now or if you are experiencing the inevitable struggle to make the Spirit your primary stimulus, I hope you are encouraged by this message: Onward, Christian Soldiers!

So I'll leave you with the question that stimulated this post for me: What is Your Stimulus?

Is Prayer Your Steering Wheel or Your Spare Tire?

Is Prayer Your Steering Wheel or Your Spare Tire? -Corrie ten Boom

This is my favorite quote on prayer. I am always convicted when I am confronted with this simple yet profound question. The differences between these two perspectives on prayer are enormous.

The steering wheel is the guiding force of the vehicle. It helps you make all of the turns and exits you need to in order to reach your desired destination. It can help steer the tires away from danger and potholes that would cause you to utilize your spare tire. How great a privilege it is to have the gift of prayer and be able to choose the foot of the throne as our destination anytime and anywhere. Yet how easy it can be to take this privilege for granted and neglect giving time and attention to the most important relationship we have.

The spare tire is used in emergency situations, and is usually only used for a temporary, short-term fix until a more durable and reliable full-sized tire is added back into the picture. How easy it can be to have the spare tire mentality on prayer. It's a great thing to have in your back pocket and then pull it out when the first sign of trouble or an emergency arises. It is way too easy to carry on with "business as usual" once the trouble or emergency we were faced with has been resolved. I have a hard time pausing and expressing thanks to God for answered prayers in my times of trials and trouble. It is a huge relief when the difficult time or situation passes. Yet, there seems to be a disconnect immediately after that happens. I pray hard in the midst of distress, but am slow to be thankful and acknowledge God as the source of answered prayers.

It is logical that one would pray more often and more intensely when going through difficult times or circumstances in life. I believe one of the reasons we suffer is to remind us of how small we are and to renew our dependence on God. I came to a whole new understanding of the phrase "Pray continually" when I was going through my kidney stone experience a few months ago. There is nothing wrong with asking for help in situations in which it is blatantly obvious there's no way we can make it through on our own.

Spare tires definitely come in handy when you have encountered one of the many literal or metaphorical potholes life has to offer. They are useful, but ultimately spare tires were never intended to be the foundational aspect of the vehicle. In a similar way, we were created to be intimate with and to worship God. I believe we cannot truly accomplish what we were created for unless we make prayer the steering wheel for both the day-to-day and long-term decisions, choices, and directions we are faced with. It is truly encouraging to me that God always has some "spare" time for us as His children. In fact, He is eager to spend an eternity with us. The decision is ours. This is where the rubber meets the road, and we need to proactively choose to make prayer our steering wheel, and send our spare tire mentality to the trash heap! (my apologies to the fine people at Goodyear and Michelin) :)