A women in my small group said that if we struggle with obeying God, then we should question our salvation. I know her very well and understand what prompted her statement. However, I'm not sure I agree. I propose that our struggle is proof of our salvation. A person who is not born again doesn't struggle with obedience to God; he or she usually only struggles with the consequences of his/her actions.
I believe that what we're actually struggling with is our own willful nature, our physical desires, our emotional baggage or our own opinions and erroneous beliefs. The non-spiritual part of us is like a two-year-old who says: "Mine!" "I will do it myself!" "I want it!" Imagine that two-year-old running your life. Not a pretty picture.
Like a parent with a strong-willed child, this power struggle goes on. Our ‘born-again self’ knows what’s right and knows that the 'child' within must not be allowed to have free reign. The battle ensues because this child is loud, manipulative and usually throws some kind of temper tantrum. An embarrassing, frustrating, confusing situation.
As Christ-followers, we WANT to obey God. The new person we become when we're born again (the 'adult') desires the things of God. God sends His Holy Spirit comes to live in us. He has given us everything for life and Godliness, according to 2 Peter 1:3.
When we encounter struggles and if we’re always worrying that we’re not born again, we can't continue our journey with Jesus. There comes a time when we need to start really believing scripture when it says that Jesus Christ loves us supremely and that He will never stop loving us. There's nothing we can do (or not do) to lose His love for us. There is no limit on His faithfulness and no end to His love.
Because of these truths, I can be real with God. Real in my struggling. Real in my questioning. Real in my failures. Real in my gratefulness. Real in my adoration. Real in my love.
5/12/12
Not the Sun
We were not meant to be the sun. We are not destined to burn out in a blaze of glory. No, God wants us to be secure, steadfast, strong and impactful in our environment. We are immensely important, but we are not meant to be the sun.
We were meant to be the moon.
The sun blazes. Its impact is seen and felt every day. Even on a cloudy day it gives light and warmth. But the sun is burning out. One day it will collapse upon itself and become a black hole.
I tried to be the sun once; it nearly killed me. I was a “good christian.” Not a fake christian, either; a true believer. My intentions were as right as they could be. In trying to be the sun (all things to all people) I burned out, collapsed upon myself and tried to draw others into the density. All because I was not meant to be the sun. Neither are you.
We were meant to be the moon.
As I child, my mother explained to me the face of the man-in-the-moon. She made the moon friendly and comforting – always there in the dark if I needed a light to see by. As I grew older, I discovered that the moon moves in cycles. While it always reflects the sun’s light, I can’t always see it. I also learned there really isn’t a man-in-the-moon.
The moon is a rock. Just a holey, dusty rock. Nothing magical or supernatural. Yet the moon’s impact on the earth is profound. The moon is vital to earth’s life. Her orbit, gravity, tidal patterns…even her weather depends on the moon’s presence. In the dark night, if we can find the moon, we can find our way.
Yet all the moon does is keep its face turned toward the sun, reflecting its light and completing its appointed rounds as determined by its Creator.
We are meant to be the moon.
We are meant to be steadfast and solid – just-a-rock – affecting our world simply by our presence. We may not see the “tide” turn or the “orbits” continue on the correct path, but our presence is an influence by those seeking purpose and direction. We may not know that we are stability in a constantly changing world, but as “just-a-rock”we provide strength for those in need. We may not realize that we are shelter in the storm, but our constancy covers others as they seek safety.
When others are lost in the dark, we are meant to be the face that reflects a greater light.
We are meant to be the moon.
Our purpose is to BE WHERE WE ARE, trusting that God knows we're there, trusting that He has placed us right where we need to be. And as we turn our faces toward the Son, reflecting His light, we will impact our environment according to His plan.
We are meant to be the moon.
We were meant to be the moon.
The sun blazes. Its impact is seen and felt every day. Even on a cloudy day it gives light and warmth. But the sun is burning out. One day it will collapse upon itself and become a black hole.
I tried to be the sun once; it nearly killed me. I was a “good christian.” Not a fake christian, either; a true believer. My intentions were as right as they could be. In trying to be the sun (all things to all people) I burned out, collapsed upon myself and tried to draw others into the density. All because I was not meant to be the sun. Neither are you.
We were meant to be the moon.
As I child, my mother explained to me the face of the man-in-the-moon. She made the moon friendly and comforting – always there in the dark if I needed a light to see by. As I grew older, I discovered that the moon moves in cycles. While it always reflects the sun’s light, I can’t always see it. I also learned there really isn’t a man-in-the-moon.
The moon is a rock. Just a holey, dusty rock. Nothing magical or supernatural. Yet the moon’s impact on the earth is profound. The moon is vital to earth’s life. Her orbit, gravity, tidal patterns…even her weather depends on the moon’s presence. In the dark night, if we can find the moon, we can find our way.
Yet all the moon does is keep its face turned toward the sun, reflecting its light and completing its appointed rounds as determined by its Creator.
We are meant to be the moon.
We are meant to be steadfast and solid – just-a-rock – affecting our world simply by our presence. We may not see the “tide” turn or the “orbits” continue on the correct path, but our presence is an influence by those seeking purpose and direction. We may not know that we are stability in a constantly changing world, but as “just-a-rock”we provide strength for those in need. We may not realize that we are shelter in the storm, but our constancy covers others as they seek safety.
When others are lost in the dark, we are meant to be the face that reflects a greater light.
We are meant to be the moon.
Our purpose is to BE WHERE WE ARE, trusting that God knows we're there, trusting that He has placed us right where we need to be. And as we turn our faces toward the Son, reflecting His light, we will impact our environment according to His plan.
We are meant to be the moon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)