Prepare The Temple

Prepare the Temple

Can't you see how sliding down 
that slippery slope destroys you?

It robs you of health, wealth, peace of mind, and joy of life.

Every time you feed those cravings, those addictions, 

you attract a multitude of similar energies 
that glob on and enjoy the ride, 

urging you to succumb with every choice you make.

This is life or death...

and the death is a slow one as your vitality 
bleeds out by milliseconds

until you're snuffed out like a quivering candle flame.

God calls us to LIVE.

He's given us that double-edged sword of free will.

We can do it our own way, under our own steam,

beating ourselves into behaving, 
then delighting in our naughtiness.

We think we're getting away with something.

No one can tell US what to do!

So we unwittingly invite Guilt, Shame, 
and Rebellion to reside within us,

 and they run the show.

Guilt makes us feel we can do nothing right.

Shame makes us feel everything we do is wrong,

and Rebellion tells us we can do no wrong.

Once this Terrible Trio takes over, you're doomed.

They duke it out, fighting over your life force 
like bitter spouses in a custody battle,

tearing your integrity to pieces.

And then, Control comes waltzing in.

Control tells us if we follow these rules, cross off our to do lists, do good works, keep up appearances, impress the neighbors, keep our houses clean, raise perfect children, excel at our jobs, do our 20 minute workouts, run our 5Ks, rescue the messed-up, 
judge the screw-ups, 

and play our part to perfection, 

we will be worthy.

It is never enough.

   We starve our minds of positive input.

   We starve our bodies of necessary nourishment.

   We ignore our emotions.

   We neglect our spirits until we feel dead inside.

  Then we indulge ourselves as we desperately try to fill 
that God-shaped vacuum within us.

I have seen a glimpse of another way of being.

I have breathed it in.

I have felt it in my bones.

I have lifted my face to the sun and thought, “It is good.”

I have been bathed in bliss.

I have laughed with joy.

I have rested in peace.

I have lived in a constant state of love.

I know I'm there when I see 

that my eyes sparkle, 

my hair shines, 

my skin glows, 

and my smile is radiant.

I'm content in the knowledge 
that I am called to be a blessing, 

to have a willing servant's heart, 
to offer comfort and healing, 

beauty and grace, giggles and belly laughs, 

and to inspire transformation.

Every moment I surrender to God's will.

Every choice I make, I ask for God's guidance.

Every breath I breathe in the Holy Spirit.

Ask, then listen.

Seek, then see.

Find, and receive.

Prepare the Temple.