How was I to know how much God would use this author's writings to bring about a new work in my life? It seems to have become a habitual process that when embarking on a book study or a study of any kind that God continues to call me to slow down in order that I may not only read the content but that I might LISTEN for His voice to speak truth into my life.
You know that oh so Southern and so very country saying of "listen twice as much as you speak"? Well there is more inherent truth contained in that phrase than most will ever realize. Cliche's are often that way. A foundational truth which has been repeated so often as to become trite and the significance of adopting that truth into our lives is lost.
As I sit here sipping coffee enjoying the relaxed pace of time spent in the mountains in a cabin with no schedules to keep, I am once again reminded to listen.
Wayne posts a reminder at the end of Chapter 4 …….
Do not be afraid to let Him remove from you what you are not, lest you become what you never wanted to be.This phrase is ricocheting through out my spirit, my heart, and I know it will continue on through out my life.
This phrase leads me directly to Romans 7:15 New International Version
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.These two combined are becoming a powerful force that God is using to further shape me. To refine those things within me that keep me from living His love. It is awfully easy to live my definition of love, but to lay aside all and live God's love, well now that is just an entirely different matter all together.
All around me the world screams that I am to hand out kindness only when kindness is given. Judgement is to be passed around liberally. We are taught that harshness and hurt are ok as long as we are in the right. Teaching that love is reserved for those who are deserving.
"Right"….. now there is a word for you. In today's world, right is determined solely upon individual perception. Gone are the days when "right" was based upon the infallible truth of God's word. Right is a fleeting definition which changes upon the situation, the individual thought process, and emotion.
But wait…. I am not called to be part of this world.
Romans 12:2 New Living Translation
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
When we are called to allow God to transform us, we are not being called to stand in judgement against people who do not follow our beliefs. We are not being called to a behavior of religious righteousness. We are being called to allow the very same all encompassing, forgiving, merciful love that He so freely bestows upon us to live fully and completely in us and even more importantly, to allow that love to live outwardly toward those around us.
So just what does Wayne's statement above linked together with God's word mean for me? What am I to do with what God is showing me?
Simply put ~ I am to allow God to shape me in to what HE created me to be. No longer do I look to my wants, desires, needs but instead I look to the author and finisher of my faith. I look to the One who has adopted me as His own and I allow Him to grow to fruition those things He fashioned in me while I was yet being formed.
This means that I lay aside my perceptions and instead allow His word to transform my thoughts. I lay aside my emotions and pick up His love. I allow myself to be bare in order to put on His holy armor. Hmmmm…. something way wrong in the above statements. Oh…. that's it. The great "I" is used way to often…..
Galations 2:20 New International Version
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Simply put ~ I no longer live but Christ lives in me…..
That is my thought now, may it continue to be my thought each minute of each day with each breath that I draw……
For you alone, Father, are worthy of praise. You alone are worthy to be glorified. You alone are worthy ……..
No comments:
Post a Comment