When Worlds Collide: The Call to Change
Introduction
Last weekend was amazing—a retreat, a church gathering, and lunch with friends filled with inspiring fellowship. Reflecting on it, I was reminded of how James 4:1-14 offers insight into what happens when two worlds collide: our old life and our new life in Christ. James was guiding churches facing this collision as they struggled to reconcile their old worldly habits with their new supernatural lives in Christ.
This clash requires real change, just as we’d take urgent action if we knew an asteroid was headed toward us. NASA’s tracking of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) like the upcoming 2024 VX1 asteroid reminds us that even a distant collision has far-reaching impacts. Just as these cosmic forces change the earth, God’s kingdom transforms us when it collides with our lives. This passage challenges us to audit our internal worlds, ensuring that we are growing in alignment with God’s values rather than clinging to old ways.
Auditing Our Internal World
James begins by asking, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1). Internal conflicts often arise from unchecked desires that influence our actions. Like the asteroids that build energy over time before making an impact, desires can accumulate within us, causing inner turmoil. James challenges us to confront and manage these internal battles by examining our motives and actions.
Often, unchecked desires lead to destructive behaviours. We don’t wake up one day planning to hurt others; these impulses simmer over time. That’s why James urges us to “think about what we are thinking about.” When we feel overwhelmed, seeking counsel from trusted friends, reading spiritually uplifting material, or turning to prayer can help us make sense of what’s happening inside us. James reminds us that we must consciously choose to examine our hearts and align our motives with God’s purpose.
The Importance of Confession and Prayer
One of the most effective ways to handle these battles is through confession and prayer. Bringing our fears, doubts, or desires to God allows us to reset our focus and find peace. James teaches that unchecked emotions and desires can keep us from God’s blessings. We may “not receive, because [we] ask with wrong motives” (James 4:3). Taking time to be transparent with God and examining our thoughts and actions will open us to His guidance, transforming our internal world for the better.
In conclusion, when our natural desires conflict with our call to live for God, change is necessary. God wants us to live with His kingdom in mind, requiring a heart and mind that’s constantly being renewed. This kind of internal auditing helps us live in alignment with God’s will and allows His transformative power to work within us.
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