via Lush
My uncle Wiley always said, “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy!” Lush. I have fond memories of my uncle and his constant barrage of jokes and wit. I can’t remember a time when I was around him that I felt threatened, afraid, or bored. When his visit to our house was over, he always left our home with a phrase I still use today: “Glad you got to see me!” His life seemed full and large to me… Lush.
Golf in west Texas can often be the opposite. In fact growing up in Odessa, Texas, we considered it a huge success if we could find the lush section of any given fairway. I’ve played on a few now, over the last several years, and I can say with some authority, there is a huge difference playing off lush fairways instead of waste areas.
I’ve had steak and potatoes all my life, Texas boys usually do. Some were overcooked, some were barely cooked, some were tender, some were still kicking, but hey, it was steak so there you go. When you have the rare experience (no pun intended) of ordering steak and have it arrive in front of you perfectly cooked, succulent, tasty, and juicy… that’s lush.
Perhaps what many people experience in their spiritual relationship with God is the fontal lobotomy, waste area landing zone, or something less than a succulent steak. But my question is, “Why?” Surely God doesn’t intend for us to play or live in these kinds of existences all our lives. I realize everyone encounters a tough road every now and then, the proverbial steak that’s still kicking. But certainly this shouldn’t be the defining attribute of our communion with God.
I’m not into the “name it – and claim it” prosperity gospel being presented in some Christian circles today. Yet it seems just as clear that those of the more conservative Christian variety seem to go so extreme in the opposite direction, that they feel they aren’t spiritual enough until they “prefer” the wasteland to the Promised land. Didn’t Jesus say, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” [John 10:10] My heart believes that Jesus means: spend some time in the lush life I promised you!
Paul told his readers: 1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Today I want to challenge you to live in the lush promised land found only in the abundant life that Jesus offers… to all who will step over that line of faith… into Him!
As I was saying... 