Devotions with Pastor Michael De Haan

I do not understand what I do... For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:15,19)
 
I'm as human as the next guy.  One minute I'm seeking God in prayer.  The next minute I'm in a very unnecessary argument with my wife.  I can worship passionately at church, only to criticize someone on the drive home.  One day I'm very involved with my kids and helping around the house.  The next day I'm too busy to notice them.
 
Many days I wonder if I'll ever get it right.
 
Not only is it hard to serve God fully when things are going my way; it's even harder to be faithful to him when things don't go my way.  You likely know what I'm talking about.  You try to get ahead financially, but then your car or the air conditioner or your dishwasher breaks down, and you slip even farther behind.  You work as hard as you can to get promoted into your dream job, only to get passed over for that annoying person you can barely stand.  More and more it seems that when you decide to live for God with all your heart, everything bad breaks loose in your life.
 
Which makes it really hard to do what you know you want to do.  The more you fight to get things right, the more frustrated you become.  That's why I think we must always remember this simple truth: Jesus has already won the battle for you.  All you have to do is follow his lead.
 
-Pastor Michael
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