Reason #23 - He Invites Me to Abide in Him

My poor blog.

If blogs had feelings, this one's feelings would be hurt.

Thankfully, they don't. And my 3 faithful readers of this blog probably haven't even noticed that I haven't posted updates in a while. :) So the repercussions of my slowness in posting are relatively small.

*smile*

Actually, the only repercussion I can think of is one that affects me only. I have missed these updates. Finding "reasons" focuses me more intently on the Lord and on my love for Him. Heaven knows I need refocusing. Does it not seem ironic that the ONE important thing in life - the only thing that matters at all - is the ONE thing that I find easy to let slip by?

I am reminded of the simple, yet profound lesson that Christ taught in Luke 10:38-42. At Mary and Martha's house in Bethel, Martha scurried about, trying to fix the perfect meal for Jesus. The stove just wouldn't work right, and the dishwasher leaked water all over the floor (ok, maybe not) and everything was taking twice as long as it should have.

And all the while, her dreamy sister - Mary - sat idly with Jesus. Verse 39 - "And...Mary...sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word." The nerve!

In utter frustration, Martha came to Jesus with these words, "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? (!) Bid her therefore that she help me."


And what did Jesus say? His answer just about knocked me over when I read it the other day.

"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things...

...But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Only one thing? In the midst of daily to-do lists that exceed the length of a regular sheet of paper - in the midst of dozens of ideas and dreams and plans for the next semester - in the midst of an impossible mountain of changes to make in my spiritual life -

One thing?

What is this one thing? It is simply this: to enjoy the presence of my Lord and Savior. To rest in His love. To hear His voice. It is to abide in Him.

I have only had brief glimpses of what this looks like. It looks like waking up with Christ as my first thought. It looks like talking to Him all throughout the day. It looks like pondering His words (Scripture verses) as I go about my work. It looks like seeing Him in every instance that happens in my life. Yes, I've only had brief glimpses of what this looks like. And I want it more.

Oh, how can I possibly stay focused on Him when the glitter of this world surrounds me on all sides? How can I possibly rest in Him when a thousand distracting thoughts go screaming through my mind every minute? If only I could see the "riches" of this world for what they really were. Cheap. Flimsy. Dishonest. Shallow. Vague. Unsatisfying. Trashy. Worthless.

The only thing I know to do is to pray for new eyes. To pray for a new heart. I know that when I seek the Lord with all my heart, I will find Him. When I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me.


I cannot do it - at all - on my own, but as I abide in Him, He will do it through me (John 15).

I love my Lord, because He invites me to abide in Him.

Reason #22 - He Directs My Steps

The Lord directs my steps, and how thankful I am for that! "The mind of a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs His steps." ~Proverbs 16:9~

So often, I don't understand why things happen the way they do. This past week, I was desperately trying to find a way to attend a photography workshop in San Antonio that I so wanted to be able to participate in. I'm a dreamer, and I never run out of new things to pursue, and new places to go, and new people to see! :) My poor sister and parents just roll their eyes at me.

But I was so hopeful that the answer would be yes and that I could go!



My dad gave me his final answer a couple days ago. It was "no."

He had good reasons. But of course I was disappointed. Of course I felt let down. And of course I let myself ask God the question we all ask Him way more often than we should.

Why?

I didn't understand then, but I knew that I had two choices. I could pout, or I could trust. I could become angry, or I could be grateful. I could focus on my disappointment, or I could give a sacrifice of praise.

Sitting here today in front of my computer, suddenly and without explanation, I understood. All last week, my mind was focused on the workshop, and the new possibilities that might open up from what I learned. I was totally wrapped up in a new pursuit.

I believe that at this point, God didn't want me to have a new pursuit, or a new dream, or a new passion. I believe He knew that if I followed through and went to San Antonio, perhaps my focus would have shifted to these new opportunities, and I would have become distracted. Is photography wrong? Not at all, and my dad thinks that it will definitely be a future pursuit for me. It simply wasn't the right timing. Photography - or music - or even ministry - can only be a good thing if it doesn't become the main thing.

This is so new for me - this desire to live my life wholly for Him. This desire to have a burning passion to know Him more. And I am realizing with a thrill that He wants me to love Him. He is jealous for my love. And He doesn't want to let anything stand in the way of that.

He is guiding me - gently but firmly - down the path of His best.



I love my Lord, because He directs my steps.

Reason #21 - He Is My Soul's Husband

Listen to this verse:

"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called" (Isaiah 54:5).

Isn't that beautiful? I'm 19 years old, and I'm a girl, and girls love to dream, and girls love romance stories and fairy tales. Prince and Princess ride off in the sunset on a noble white steed into the sunset, and they live happily ever after. *sigh*

And so go the stories...stories that would have me believe I can never be happy as a single girl. Stories that would whisper in my ear, "You'll never be complete until that special someone comes into your life..."

I beg to differ!!

Right now, at this very moment, I have a Husband! I have a Lover! And this is no ordinary groom, but my soul's Husband willingly laid down His life for me.

Oh, how I wish I could know the extent of his love for me. How I wish I could understand the depth of His commitment to me. And how I wish that I could love Him more.

Yes, what a beautiful paradox! Right now, even as a single girl, I am married. I love being single, and I'm truly content right now! I love the freedom that comes from being unmarried, the freedom to be able to focus undistractedly on my Lord. And I don't want to lose sight of that. As more and more of my friends began dating or courting or getting married, I don't want to fall away from my Maker and my Husband, and began dreaming of an earthly man.

Yes, I look forward to being married one day, and falling in love with a man. But until that day comes, I am satisfied. I am more than satisfied.

I wrote the song below so I could sing it and remind myself: "I am His bride!"

MY FIRST ROMANCE

Castles in the clouds, Starry-eyed dreams

Fluttering hearts, “Does he love me?”

Fragile hopes, Shattered dreams

Broken hearts - all this I see.

I have found love – vast and free

Love that spilled its blood for me.

CHORUS

How could I resist His tender call?

How could I resist Love giving all?

My heart has found its One true Love

Oh, this is my first Romance.

Hand in mine, walks by my side

He’ll never leave , I’m asking “why?”

Somehow, someway, He wanted me

Here’s my heart, here’s all of me

CHORUS

A bride right now, I wait for my Groom

Clothed in white, He promised it soon

Can’t wait for the day I see His face.

My Groom will come, and take me away.

I love my Lord, because He is my soul's husband.

Reason #20 - He is My Life

My life verse is Colossians 3:1-4. I LOVE this passage - it has changed my life! Listen to verse four:

"When Christ, WHO IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."

Isn't that amazing to think about?? Christ is my life.

I often hear people say, "Basketball is my life" or "Music is my life." Basketball and music are both lovely things - I'm not saying in any way that we shouldn't participate in them. I've done both and love them! But what would it look like if every Christian could honestly say, "Christ is my life"? How would the world be changed if each of us was wholly consumed by one goal, one passion?

Our life is like a sentence.

If our lives could be portrayed by one sentence, what would your sentence be?

Read the following Christian “life sentences,” and see if you can assimilate a clear view of the person being described.

“I love God, my boyfriend is cute, and volleyball is my favorite!”

“Football is great, I want to be rich, and I go to church twice a week.”

Are you confused? Unsure? Misguided?

Now read the following example:

“I love the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here is power! Here is clarity! We have a crystal clear perception of this person’s life. There is no room for any extra goals. One theme comes clearly into focus.

Listen to Paul’s life sentence: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) His life was Christ. Nothing more.

Let each believer realize that when we accept Christ, we die to our own life. Every previous goal, every former ambition, goes to the grave. A divided life is also an ineffective life that screams out opposite messages to its “readers.” Christ does not ask to be tacked on to the end of our life sentence. He asks to be our life sentence.

Romans 6:4 – “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Colossians 3:1-4 – “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above…Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”

If a Christian finds that his life goals are divided – that more than one focus claims his heart – it is time for him to do some editing! He must write out his life sentence, and then study it to identify his purposes and goals. There will be activities that he will need to drop from his calendar, much like words that simply do not need to be written. He must remove the unneeded extras that would distract from the main focus of his life.

I love my Lord, because He is my life.

Reason #19 - He Became Sin For Us

2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Imagine this. The Lamb of God -

Perfect -
Spotless -
Without blemish -

- In intimate fellowship with the Father.

God's standard is perfection, is it not? Only a sinless Being can know our Lord God intimately. Christ knew no sin. He was one with the Father.

I wonder if any of us will ever come close to understanding the enormous impact that lay before Christ when God's plan for salvation was revealed. For Christ, Who had known no sin, Who had always enjoyed unbroken fellowship with the Father, must not only live in a sinful world, and in a fleshly body, but He must become sin.

Christ - the spotless Lamb -

SIN for us.

He became sin, that we might become righteous. By His choice, He lay aside that sweet intimacy, and God turned His back on His Son. Why? Because He loved us so much, that He would rather break fellowship with His Father than to see His people lost and separated from God.

Oh to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Every bitter thought, every evil deed
Crowing Your blood stained brow.

This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us.
Took the blame, bore the wrath

WE STAND FORGIVEN AT THE CROSS.

~ "The Power of the Cross," Keith and Kristyn Getty


I am in awe. I love my Lord, because He became sin for me.

Reason #18 - He Asks Us to Die

Perhaps this reason would strike others as odd. For me personally, I think it is going to be one of the most life changing ones God has shown me. This post was taken straight from my journal, so it is a glimpse of me for who I am - just a mess really! :) and yet excited for what God is showing me, and excited to grow.

This past summer held some of the best weeks of my life. Who would have ever guessed it?

I love going places.
I stayed home almost the whole time.

I love being being with people.
I interacted with very few others, besides my dear family.

I love accomplishing goals and getting things done.
Outside of the spiritual realm, I got almost nothing done.

So why was it such an amazing time for me? Simply put, my life was God this summer. My whole family took a month to do nothing but seek God. We aren't some super spiritual saints - we hardly even planned to do it, and certainly not for that long! God dropped the idea in our laps, and all of a sudden, we were in the middle of one of the most spiritually beautiful times of our lives.

During those weeks, I had glimpses of what it meant to abide in Christ. I had glimpses of what it meant to love the Lord with all my heart. I had glimpses of what it meant to actually hear the Lord's voice (not audibly, but in my spirit) and to know that He was speaking to me. And I had glimpses of what it meant to die.

Jesus said:
"If any man will come after me, let him...

...pray for long hours?
...give a lot of money to charities?
...go every week to church?
...even become a missionary?

No! "...let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." And then His next words are:

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. " (Luke 9:23-24)

I lived 18 years of my life with a will that was strong and alive and well, and I regret that. Just a few months before I turned 19, God finally brought me to a point that I could choose to die. I died to my pride, my stubbornness, my selfishness; and also to my dreams, my desires, my goals.

And I found that dying is the only way to live.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (John 12:24)

This summer, God brought me into a deeper understanding of what that looked like. He impressed on me a very simple fact:

"The only things that matter at all are the things that count for eternity."

In eternity, will it matter if people liked me? If I had friends out the wazoo, and impressed those in my life with my talents? When I stand before the judgement seat of Christ, will it matter if I could sing beautifully? If I was busy? If I had a successful career?

On the day that I step into eternity, the only thing that will matter is if I served the Lord with every atom inside me. Simply put, did I love the Lord with ALL of my heart?

And these are all very nice thoughts, right?

Until I have to put them into practice.

Because if I believed them, then they would shaped every activity I chose to participate in. In every choice I made, the deciding factor would be, "does it count for eternity?" And if not, then what in the world am I doing messing around with it??

That is dying. And that is hard.

But I understood that so clearly this summer. It was my heart. And there was joy in that.

Somewhere along the way, my focus shifted. I remember feeling vague uneasiness over it...realizing that I didn't have quite the same passion and single-hearted focus as before. But hey, life is busy right? And in the flurry of getting ready for a new semester, I forgot.

I forgot that greatness isn't about how many people serve us. It's about how many people we choose to serve. I forgot that success isn't busy-ness, and popularity, and favor with men. Success is favor with God.

I heard from the Lord today. And He told me, "you think life is all about you."

I was in awe. Of course it's true. I had planned my whole semester around the activities that I would enjoy, and would sound impressive to others. I stepped into the new semester for me. The painful, honest truth is that I resurrected my "will" and my "self" once again.

And once again, God asked me to die.

And once again, I died.

"I am crucified (dead) with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." (Galatians 2:20)

This whole dying business isn't too popular with Christians nowadays.

We want just enough of Jesus to make us happy, just enough to give us a peace, and just enough to make things go our way to fulfill our dreams and our agenda. Meanwhile, (Christ) wants to take us to the cross, where our own selfish dreams, egos, and plans for "great accomplishments" have to die. The cross brings you to a place of total and absolute surrender of all you have and all you are. You submit everything in obedience to (Christ).

~ Chip Ingram, "Good to Great in God's Eyes

No we Christians don't understand the dying part of Christianity, nor do we care to. But the disciples did. What did they say?

"Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee (Jesus)..." (Matthew 19:27)

Imagine that. Everything. Thrown aside and forgotten. Why? In Paul's words,

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." (Philippians 3:8)

Is Christ enough for us? Do we crave Him so intensely that we would give Him every fiber of our lives, every vibrating pulse of our passions, every heart throb of our dreams?

This is what He asks for. I am convinced that this is what it takes to "win Christ." And He is enough.

I love Him, because He has asked me to die.

Reason #17 - He is a God of Grace

How many times have we sung the beautiful song:

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me..."

And never even once thought about the words we were singing? I am so very thankful today that I serve a God of grace!

A few days ago, I heard a preacher speak on the book of 1 Corinthians. The first verse in this book says:

"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother."

I had always skimmed right over those type of introductions. Not much there right? Let's get right to the good stuff! :) I wonder how much we miss of God's Word in the "not important extras" that we always skip over?...

We all know who Paul was. Formally named Saul, I know of few other men described in the Bible who were more passionate in their zeal AGAINST Christianity. Paul was responsible for the death of hundreds, maybe thousands of Godly, innocent Christian men and women. Can it get much worse than that?

Yes, we know about Paul. But who was Sosthenes?

This was a man who also passionately persecuted the Christian church. You see, Sosthenes was the ruler of the Jewish synagogue. He hated Christians and wanted them wiped out. One day, he took his case against the Roman courts, only to be thrown out because the Romans didn't want anything to do with religious cases. The angry mob that Sosthenes had stirred up against the Christians, now turned against him and beat him.

Somehow, through all of this chaos, God gripped his heart. Sosthenes became a vibrant, passionate Christian.

Two men...both dead set against the only One Who could save their souls. Two men...filled with hatred and anger. Two men...responsible for the deaths of innocent men and women.

And two men...transformed into two of God's most passionate, faithful servants.

We serve a God Who declares "There is no sin so great, that I cannot forgive. There is no past so dark that I cannot transform. There is no life so broken that I cannot repair. There is no man so sinful that I cannot use."

We serve a God of grace.

I love my Lord, because He is a God of grace.