Die and Recieve

John Knox, the famous evangelical and theologian, once petitioned God, "Give me Scotland, or I die!" That is a very famous quote. Perhaps it is so popular because of the bravado, or the heroic elegance found in those simple words. But not as many people quote the words found in John Knox's journal after his prayer. He records God's response very simply: "Die, and I will give you Scotland."

That is a powerful lesson that everyone forgets. We live in the Information Age, where everything is convenient. Lots of youth pastors will approach modernity with a condemning eye, damning the sins of our generation (they are numerous), launching into sermon after sermon about the availability of internet pornography, drugs, and guns in our depressed postmodern world.
But even for the spiritually adept, for the strong believers who don't face enormous struggle with secret sin and temptation galore (these individuals are far, far, far and few between), the Information Age presents a new challenge: Convenience.
I recently got a new cell phone. I like it because it feels good in my hand, has a camera, and because the sound quality is leaps and bounds above my last phone. I can buy backgrounds, sounds, games, and news in little more than three minutes, anywhere in the US. This is a no-brainer to pretty much everyone, but that's exactly what I'm calling you out on.
We are so used to instant information, to long-range connectivity, to response at our convenience. But, I regret to inform you, God is not on the same frequency as our cell phones.

Our relationship with God is not like a text message conversation. We cannot simply draft a new message, slap "Yahweh" in the "To:" slot, and hit send. God demands that we abide in Him. ABIDE, as in live with always. He doesn't want our half-hearted sacrifices of praise: "hey, gd, how r u doin? o sry i g2g ttyl..."
He wants our devotion, our worship, and what's so ridiculous about our daily refusal to give it to Him is the magnitude of the rewards. We are so fast paced, so reluctant to die to our selves, that it sometimes seems far-fetched that God would actually answer prayers. We pray that our day would go smoothly after a difficult morning, and when it does, you get that feeling like a fortune cookie came true. As if, perhaps, your waiter at PF Changs has been stalking you, and secretly admires you enough to slip that fortune in there. Sort of creeped out and reluctant to undergo the experience again.
"thnx god. o and about 2moro im sorta buzy, so sry. ttyl."

So I present you with a challenge (and it is defenitely a challenge, I can tell you from both success and failure): move in with God. Don't pray before meals or text him when you're bored. If you had caller ID from the future, and one night you got a surprise call from "Your Future Wife", would you blow her off with a simple: "I'm tired, okay? We'll eventually talk, just... I'm just really tired right now. Night."
No, of course not. And if you would, try counseling.

Abide with God. The rest of your life either works itself out, or descends on your list of priorities.