Holiness

So the word for the season is Holiness. Don't let it scare you. It's an intimidating word...HOLINESS. Conjures up visions of utter perfection and...I don't know....rightness. Righteousness. We all know we can't make a dent in that right? So why on earth, would He tell us to be holy, as He is holy? Holy...wholly....whole...whole ness? I believe, with the understanding I have at this time, God wants us on the path to whole ness, which would be described as being restored to Gods original plan for my personality, physicality, emotions, spirit and soul. A tall order. Now I have been on this path for years. I've had lots of counseling, read tons, and I do mean tons, of "Christian" self help books. Took classes on boundaries, marriage, addiction....studied the bible, and took classes in that too. I've been in small groups designed to help you grow. I've had accountability partners to keep me on my toes. And still...my growth has come at a snails pace for the most part. Not only that! I easily fall back into old behaviors at times if I'm not constantly on my toes. Honestly it's exhausting. I have seriously crashed and burned a couple times to where I questioned, do I even want to get up. God! You want too much! I can't do this! Well, let me give anyone who wants a word of advice, skip all the above and go straight to the "God, I can't do this" and start from there. He has answer for you. And it's "I know, let me help you." You were never meant to fix yourself. If you could do that, Jesus would not have to have died. The two trees in Eden were called, the Tree of Life, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It wasn't just a Tree of the knowledge of evil. I'm not saying all self help books, counseling and classes are bad. But there is a better way. Living in intimate connection with God, as you walk and talk with Him in the garden of your own soul, receiving nourishment to the heart, which is the root of mans issues. Knowledge is a bandaid at best, if used alone, the other is healing surgery. Permanent solution. Restoration of health and whole-ness. Holiness. I want to eat from the tree of Life. I am rejecting any book, class or teacher who's "step A" isn't intimacy with God through reading His word with prayer and worship and listening. I want the root. I want my heart to change. And His answer to that prayer is, "Yes!" Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NKJV) because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:16 NKJV)