Claim.

I mentioned to someone dear to me recently, that it seemed
as though God had stripped me of all "feeling" as to make
his presence more available to me in my life. I believe that
sometimes as humans, us finite beings, we use our feelings
over our faith to convince ourselves of morality over true
spirituality which in turn are superficial. Take the New
Years resolution, for example,it's like everyone thinks that
they're going to do things different this year as opposed
to the way they did them last year despite the fact that
there's not a lot of historical precedent to back up that
hope at all.
It's a bit silly, and I don't think this is everyone but I
think the bulk of people think this because they have things
in their life that they wish weren't the way they were. Most
of this is borderline silly, and almost all of it's surface,
which is why nothing really changes.

Here's why basically, if you're trying to ,say, get in shape
and lose weight but have not done the deeper digging to try &
figure out why you use food to comfort emotional and spiritual
pain, or why you're lazy, then all you've done is put a
band-aid on something much deeper and much more problematic.
And even if you can shed some pounds, at best all you've done
is thrown some dirt over the weeds, they'll eventually push
their way through. And this is relevant to anything, any
issue at all.

This is why I agree with many of our leaders, whom love the
church but realize, there's an epidemic in the Western
Church. The majority of it IS surface, and the majority of
them do not dig deeper and truly teach. This has left many
christians today, whom may have been faithful christians for
decades even, ankle deep at best in the word. Again, this
is not a finger pointing contest, this is the stand up and
let's say, "come on people, we can do this, let's do this
together" ideology. It would do many of us so much good to
start with the Life of Christ, that's pretty obvious though.

Now hear me out, one of the only reasons why I know this to
be true is because I fit the criteria more times than I care
to admit. And I've also been many many places, and seen the
difference from the genuine depth that you receive when you
have disciplined yourself in seeking God, and the useless
canter of those who can only go so far as to claim such things.
Like in 2 Timothy 2 when Paul challenges Timothy who is like
a son to him.
He says "1You then, my son, be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard
me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable
men who will also be qualified to teach others.3Endure
hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No
one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he
wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone
competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown
unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking
farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight
into all this."

Don't just take these things at surface level, there's a lot
behind this there's a lot underneath this and there's a lot that
we need to dig into so that practically we know how to apply
what he is talking about.
And with Verse 1, the problem is when it comes to pursuing God
if you do it on your own strength you will fail outright or you
will morally succeed; and birth pride and arrogance into your life
and not be any closer to the King by obeying Jesus.
We must understand where our strength comes from, it comes from
the gospel, it comes from God's grace.

specially in our shortcomings, Jesus paid our debt.
Let's go deep, let us learn to sustain ourselves not of our own
accord but through faith that God will provide. Let us remember
that we are rich for a reason; to give. Let us remember
1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you do, do all to the Glory of God."