Get Serious

After I read Jessica's earlier post, I looked up the passage and read a little more about it, also in the Message. A few pages later a headline caught my eye. It said "Get Serious" and was the beginning of chapter 4. It reads:
"Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that 'he's a fiercely jealous lover.' And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that 'God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.'" James 4:1-6, the Message
What I got out of that was that a lot of times we really don't know what we want. Like the verses say, we tell God that we love Him, but then we flirt with the world. When you are deeply, passionately in love with someone you have eyes only for them, and you aren't even looking at others. Why is it that God, who is supposed to be our first love, so often gets shoved to the back? We can't be close to Him if we spend time with and flirt with the world.
2 Timothy 2:22 says:
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth! Run away!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! RUN!!!! :)

Your Sister In Christ,
Becky