Conviction over consensus. Inspired by my son, Garrison’s sermon yesterday. 

Do we even know what conviction is anymore? Or are we so callused by the ways of this world that we rarely if ever notice when it’s happening? Or are we so far away from being in the habit of constant contact with God that we don’t hear those faint whispers in our hearts any more? Have we justified in our minds what we will and won’t abide by in His Word? The part that fits into our preferred lifestyles rather than all the parts that He in His infinite wisdom knows will make our lives all we long for and more. Instead, because we lean on our own understanding more comfortably than in all our ways acknowledging Him, we are limited by our own finite intellect or the intellect of others we acknowledge over God’s infinite wisdom found in His Word. 

We read books, books, and more books out of proportion to studying His Divine Truth where all knowledge originates. Why? Why do we think we can outsmart God? I’m all for reading, have read and studied hundreds, maybe thousands of books throughout college and since as we’ve been in leadership for over 30 years now. But I do hope hour for hour, we’ve spent more time in The Word and in His presence which is where our help comes from. If not, that can change today. I remember the day it changed for me. And it’s where all three books have come out of and where anything good I did as a parent, wife, friend, and leader came out of.

It may seem as though I got off topic but not at all. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. The only way to recognize conviction that guides us away from harm and evil is to know Him. The only way to know Him is to be with Him. If we are with them more than we are with Him, we will prioritize consensus over conviction. 

But if we exalt Him over them, we will honor Him and them. We will walk in holiness without being judgemental. We will love instead of be offended 24/7. We will talk to Him about them instead of talk to them about the others. 

Want to live a life that works? Live with prioritizing conviction over consensus. 

Happy Monday!

XO,

Adrienne