Why Settle for Less?

During the long road trip to Myrtle Beach I saw a church sign that said, "Get Right or Get Left!" I thought... hmmm "Get right" according to who? Why be content to merely "stop sinning", when God can remove the desire to sin?? So many are satisfied to stop a behavior outwardly, but in their hearts they still long for it. If God wants to captivate the heart, then surely He can change it! A visit to the circus when I was younger taught me an important lesson about the way God works in our lives. I sat watching the Trapeze Artist high in the air. He did a lot of amazing things- flips & various releases, but he always grabbed a hold of the same trapeze. It wasn't until someone set a higher trapeze in motion that the artist let go mid-air of the one he was holding and reached out for the new one. If he had let go before there was something better to reach for, he would have fallen and his performance would have failed. God doesn't demand that we sacrifice things we enjoy, then leave us empty-handed. NO, He fills us with His love. He doesn't expect us to let go, until we have something better to reach for. When our hearts are focused on Him, the other things will fall away as His power works in our lives. Those of you who have tried to quit smoking know the battle can be difficult. You can stop smoking, but if the desire to smoke is still there- you are WAY more likely to go back to it. The pharisee was content with the outward appearence of "holiness", while Jesus knew in their hearts they were murderers. He wanted them to be completely changed- not just putting on a charade. Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We sin because we are empty inside- and hungry. We fall into binge-drinking, sex, drugs, etc. because we are lonely, hurting and in need of comfort, but instead these things can bring us even lower. Jesus had great compassion on sinners- because He knew how life had slapped them around and brought them down. He could smile on them because He knew the solution to sin is a heart full of LOVE. I believe God is BIG enough to fill, heal and transform us- to remove the desire for sin! Why go through the motions or settle for anything less???