Rising to the Occasion

"You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it."
~Oswald Chambers

Having spent many years as an athlete, the idea of rising to the occasion is not unfamiliar. So many times I entered the arena knowing victory was mine... unless I chose to give it away. Mental remittance to the possibility of failure is part of every person's internal dialog, but only necessary in situations outside the simpler plan of God's will for our lives. Being a state champion at whatever is commendable, but in my experience, I'm called much more often (and powerfully) to diligence in prayer, empathy for the poor and outcast, and compassion for the lost.... Whether I act on these callings swiftly enough is another subject...

Unfortunately, I think many of us, myself included, devote more time, more internal coaching, and more effort in "rising to the occasion" for those selfish, fleshly goals--the goals where victory is not guaranteed.

Lord, that I may rise to the occasion of diligently living a life of focus. Please help me to channel my energies in the direction of guaranteed victory-in the direction of Your will. Father, please help me to revel in opportunities to suffer like your saint, Paul-please help me to know my life's struggles are part of the good fight.

What a Hiatus...

Funny how quiet times morph from day to day... I hadn't realized how much I missed the process of thinking through my thoughts enough to type them out. Writing things down has such a finality to it. Its as if we say, "Ok, I'm done with this thought... here it is... I've forgone the ability to continually edit this opinion in my head depending upon who I'm talking to...."

I think this must be the beauty of the written word-perhaps this drives our respect for the writings of the greats-the reason why the Bible is such an amazing book... You know its go-time when the Lord says, "Here it is boys and girls... written down for you to study, critique, pray about, and validate." I guess when God lays it down, we shouldn't be surprised when prophesies of scripture are proven true time and time again... and the magical simplicity comprising the story of the cross is played out in our lives time and time again.

Although I've felt it before, I'm still in awe at how the Lord can completely shift the world around us-the fabric of peoples' lives completely redirected-and we still try to act as if nothing is happening. Sometimes it feels as if part of the fall is our inability to capture, savor and apply the realization that God is great, awesome, constantly exerting influence in our lives and the lives of those who've been interceded for.

Why is it so easy to forget?