I want to give...
All of me. What is the purpose of my body, my hands, my feet, without their outpouring?
One of the ugliest sights is the vision of someone holding onto themselves with fists clutched tight, their skin rippling with the grip, their arms inhibited from catching any falling thing.
Whatever we do to the least of God's children, to the least of our brothers and sisters, to the hardest people to love or the easiest people to love, we do directly to God.
I don't want to live with starving God. I don't want to face the harsh reality that I have ignored His needs, His cries for help.
Granted, my God does not need me; He is not helpless in the slightest. He invites me. He welcomes me into a life of giving, of serving, of employing myself as His instrument. What greater purpose is there?
Once I've got that attitude dwelling within me, I must only ask God to show me how to direct my passion. Every morning, every afternoon... I ask that He shows me a need that I might fill it.
Eternal significance starts with humility here on Earth.
What can we do for each other?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Entry #11 - Walking through meadows and walls
The path Christ calls us to is a varied, winding path. Faithfulness to Him and His truth brings us into all sorts of contradictions--being loved and hated, being envied and pitied, being alone and in profound fellowship, laughing and weeping, meditating and preaching.
The novelty of this exotic metaphorical locale is not enough. It may sound heroic at first hearing. But really it is nothing of our own doing. It is even nothing of any value whatsoever, if not empowered, inspired, and inscribed by a mesmerized and passionate love for God. Without that love, it is also impossible to get through.
Only this love for God, awakened by the Holy Spirit, is powerful enough to take a person through all of these ups and downs--these meadows and walls. And rest assured that both the meadows and the walls will come. Meadows where you are loved and celebrated, and where the companionship you share with other believers is amazing. Walls where you are rejected by people--sometimes even by those claiming Christ, as a result of taking His Word seriously. Walls where you struggle even to know what obedience would look like in this particular situation.
Be prepared to excitedly cherish those meadows and to awkwardly walk into those walls. Do what needs to be done and fix your heart on Him through it all.
The novelty of this exotic metaphorical locale is not enough. It may sound heroic at first hearing. But really it is nothing of our own doing. It is even nothing of any value whatsoever, if not empowered, inspired, and inscribed by a mesmerized and passionate love for God. Without that love, it is also impossible to get through.
Only this love for God, awakened by the Holy Spirit, is powerful enough to take a person through all of these ups and downs--these meadows and walls. And rest assured that both the meadows and the walls will come. Meadows where you are loved and celebrated, and where the companionship you share with other believers is amazing. Walls where you are rejected by people--sometimes even by those claiming Christ, as a result of taking His Word seriously. Walls where you struggle even to know what obedience would look like in this particular situation.
Be prepared to excitedly cherish those meadows and to awkwardly walk into those walls. Do what needs to be done and fix your heart on Him through it all.
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