God loves us just the way we are, but God loves us too much to leave us that way.
This simple truth was reiterated at this weekends service. Amidst the speaking of three different people, the reality of how God feels about each one of us was expressed incredibly well. Through grace, God sees us as perfect up to this point, but much like the artist who has learned a new trick, sees so many ways that we could be improved.
I love the idea that God is the ultimate perfectionist. I would be so content to continue on in my little happy place (and most likely backslide from time to time). My willingness to even think this helps me to understand how easily I forget the underpinnings of grace. If I think my life is good, and I don't have to be open for carving and molding, then I have just insulted Christ on the cross. Lord may I never forget the price that was paid that I might be a work of art continually in process.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A Royal Priesthood
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
~1 Peter 2:9
I'm having one of those days where the idea of me being a royal priest seems farfetched if not outright repulsive. I must allow myself to realize that I am daily called out of darkness into His wonderful light. The idea that the Lord can repeatedly offer such an amazing position really should give me hope... in fact there is nothing from God that says I cannot step into this relationship with Him at any time, no matter how rediculous the thoughts swimming through my head concerning unworthiness.
The idea of belonging to God should absorb more of my attention and effort. In the past, being part of a team, with a clearly defined goal and mission has always brought the best from me. I know the Lord has given us a mission and a goal, but for some reason I'm not comprehending it enough for it to inspire the best of my devotion, discipline and efforts.
What will it take to get to a place where the goal is all I a think of, and my life is a mosaic of relationships and adventures all lending texture and color to the big picture of living as one of God's chosen...?
~1 Peter 2:9
I'm having one of those days where the idea of me being a royal priest seems farfetched if not outright repulsive. I must allow myself to realize that I am daily called out of darkness into His wonderful light. The idea that the Lord can repeatedly offer such an amazing position really should give me hope... in fact there is nothing from God that says I cannot step into this relationship with Him at any time, no matter how rediculous the thoughts swimming through my head concerning unworthiness.
The idea of belonging to God should absorb more of my attention and effort. In the past, being part of a team, with a clearly defined goal and mission has always brought the best from me. I know the Lord has given us a mission and a goal, but for some reason I'm not comprehending it enough for it to inspire the best of my devotion, discipline and efforts.
What will it take to get to a place where the goal is all I a think of, and my life is a mosaic of relationships and adventures all lending texture and color to the big picture of living as one of God's chosen...?
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Prayer for Friends
This week has seen our family shift gears as my wife has been caring for the daughter of one of our acquaintances. My normal gym routine has been shed to allow she and our daughter to be out the door by 6:30am.
I have loved reading the short, timely, and very thoughtful daily entries of Oswald Chambers. Out of one verse, so much meaning can be gleaned if we are willing to allocate our precious time toward understanding the depths of truth contained in the Word.
In my normal schedule, I have been reading through the book of Job, so today's entry seemed very appropriate. How many times have I run through life, trying desperately to figure out my priorities in Christ while I willingly ignore the needs of those closest to me.
Sometimes I think that I could likely make a life out of simply interceding for those closest to me. Prayer for family and friends would take on so much depth if I would let myself go to the places where I know that I'll be uncomfortable, but that my prayer and intentions would be the most raw... the most real... May I submit to the prompting of the spirit and live today in intercession for the people that have shaped me into who I am.
I have loved reading the short, timely, and very thoughtful daily entries of Oswald Chambers. Out of one verse, so much meaning can be gleaned if we are willing to allocate our precious time toward understanding the depths of truth contained in the Word.
In my normal schedule, I have been reading through the book of Job, so today's entry seemed very appropriate. How many times have I run through life, trying desperately to figure out my priorities in Christ while I willingly ignore the needs of those closest to me.
Sometimes I think that I could likely make a life out of simply interceding for those closest to me. Prayer for family and friends would take on so much depth if I would let myself go to the places where I know that I'll be uncomfortable, but that my prayer and intentions would be the most raw... the most real... May I submit to the prompting of the spirit and live today in intercession for the people that have shaped me into who I am.
Serving because we are...
The entry for Oswald Chambers today causes a tremendous dose of spiritual reality to descend upon my work-weary senses.
What does discipleship mean to me? It is a battle against my nature to believe that if I'm not doing it (discipleship) than I am failing. What I must understand is that discipleship must become a thoughtless demonstration that I am aligned with my father's will... something that just happens.
A struggle always erupts concerning my effort to follow Christ. I am a man of extremes, and my mind swings like a pendulum between 401k's, college funds, and a life of utter abandonment to material things.
What does discipleship mean to me? It is a battle against my nature to believe that if I'm not doing it (discipleship) than I am failing. What I must understand is that discipleship must become a thoughtless demonstration that I am aligned with my father's will... something that just happens.
A struggle always erupts concerning my effort to follow Christ. I am a man of extremes, and my mind swings like a pendulum between 401k's, college funds, and a life of utter abandonment to material things.
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