I can't begin writing without saying first that I STRUGGLE. Why in the world would I need a Savior if I didn't.
After living a life in rebellion to God, and seeing the depth of my sin, and choosing to make Him Savior and Lord of my life- a supernatural transformation took place in this heart of mine. This transformation isn't something that man can conjure up or develop in his own strength. It only comes by the crying out to God- claiming His Son as one to believe and follow. Are there immediate changes? no. It takes time...but as we grow closer to Him until the day we die- that relationship grows more and more intimate- and when united with Him in Heaven- His glory will be complete. If surrendering your life to God hasn't been a choice you've made- I pray you seek Him.
As followers, we know that although our focus has changed and we have a new heart- there is still sin, and our motives will never be perfectly pure.
"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."-Isaiah 64:6
This is me. All my acts that are "good"- are not so great after all. My flesh is unclean- and as long as I'm living in this body, nothing is going to change. But if that's where we stop, and become swamped in self-pity for our yuckiness then we are missing a VERY important part- the most important part- grace.
This past week has been SO HARD in SO MANY ways. I have been loaded with midterms, presentations, papers, and readings for school and have had to take time to do these things instead other things that I love! I try to make a point to spend time with God everyday in His Word so that I am fed, and ready for the day. After spending hours and hours for school- my quiet time has taken the back burner. So what do I do? I become absorbed in self-pity.
"Why God am I in school? Why does this have to be so hard? Why do I STILL struggle with things I've confessed to You over and over again. Why can't I commit more time to You? Why did I just spend 2 hours on Facebook? I am a failure. I can't do anything right-I stink at giving You control. I totally was so focused on school I didn't even think about You today- why in the world do You want me? Blah blah blah..."
Do these thoughts sound familiar?
Let me just tell you... these thoughts, for me, never last long anymore because I am QUICKLY reminded that I am no longer bound to a life that has a false belief that I have to work for God's love for me. I learned something SO SWEET recently that I have got to share. I know this post is getting long- but I gotta. Here it goes. Are you ready? Ok.
We (as in people in the past) were once bound to the Old Covenant. This was a promise, known as the law, that God made with His people- the Ten Commandments. The people were constantly making sacrifices to God in order to be obedient to Him and to please Him. But they could never uphold the law! No matter how hard they tried- they failed! In Jeremiah 31 God says that His people "broke His covenant though He was a husband to them". BUT there is GOOD NEWS. God's law was not abolished- but fulfilled. He didn't mess up with the Old Law, His people couldn't keep it, so... there was a NEW COVENANT! This covenant He spoke about in the Old Testament.."This covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord, I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people...For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more". Holy stinkin' cow. No longer was the job in our hands- it was no longer "you shall do this, and you shall not do that"..but it was "I will give you a new heart, I will send my Holy Spirit to live in you". That is why the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ works, and is sufficient!!!!
SO- what does this have anything to do with the way my week has gone? I keep having the Old Testament mind that I must work for righteousness, when in reality- me believing I can work for it is "filthy rags".
What do you think God's facial expression is when He thinks of you?
My sweet friends (if you are in Christ)- God sees you the same today, as He does tomorrow because He sees His perfect Son. This is the free gift we surely don't deserve- but have been given. Rest in that.
1 comment:
Wow jordan! I have to tell you something. Tonight, i was in my small group and we've been reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. In his book, Francis wrote about his grandma, who is one of those people that he sees that lives/lived and lived a life with a truly intimate relationship with Christ. He mentioned that he has realized in his age that most people who truly have intimate relationships with Christ whom he knows, tend to be elderly. However, he questions what it would be like if people started having an intimate relationship at an early age. He asks if there is anyone whom this reminds me of??? I immediately thought of you. You are one person that i see who is close to my age that truly has an intimate relationship with Christ. You truly are someone to look up too. God Bless!
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