I remember so clearly the first time I heard a message on transition. The speaker was passionate, eloquent ....and the message captured my heart. I prayed that day, and for many days after, that God would always keep me in a place of transition. It became so engrained that even my children began to quote me on it.
Quite a few years have passed since that first message, and the romance of the process has long since worn off. Transition, being the change you want to see in the world, is messy, hard, and often lonesome. It is definitely a road that not everyone is willing to travel.
Transition means so many things to me. Keeping a teachable heart. Looking inwardly first when faced with a tough situation. Growing in character. Lancing wounds. Having grace for others unwilling to change. Learning patience (ugh) while embracing the journey.
But years later, I still have a hearts cry to live a life of transition. To be willing to look at the hard stuff in my life... the hurts, the areas of character development, the risks God wants me to take, are still what drives me.
The reason? God meets me in the process. After all of these years of life with Daddy-God, living out transition has brought a closeness, an intimacy and a desire for more of Him than I have ever known. He has set me free from so much of what held my life in bondage.
As I look towards this Thanksgiving season I find myself thankful to the pastor who first taught me this wonderful truth. I'm thankful for those I live life with who have also embraced being teachable for a lifetime. My heart is full of gratitude for the wonderful grace, growth and redemption that God has provided in the process of transition.
So this morning once again, I breathe deeply, close my eyes, gather my courage and whisper, "One more time God, help me to transition and grow. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart willing to............."
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thinking like Him....
I read a profound statement on the back of a book today. "God wants to redeem you, not exchange you." (John Ortberg) When reading that statement I swear my toes curled and I grew a couple of inches. Statements like that continue to unlock something inside of me. I actually come away feeling like God not only loves me but likes me. Imagine that!
The unspoken laws of legalism seem to come with the understanding that I am a worm and should feel like one at least nine-tenths of every day. What man made rules never seem to take into account is that I am a created being. Yup created, by God Himself. As I was thinking about this truth (Psalm 139) I had my own profound thought. "When God created me, I don't think He had my "sin nature" in mind."
It makes me wonder more deeply, just how God thinks about these things. I need to know because His is the only perspective that matters. I know "He knit me together" and "knew every one of my days before I had lived a single one", but what was on His mind? Was He thinking of every failure He knew I would make? Every sin that would plague me? My thorns in the flesh?
Personally, I think God is a bigger God than that. I think perhaps He saw the shed blood of Jesus over my life and knew between how He made me and Jesus' blood, I had limitless potential. But how do I attain it? By thinking what He thinks. By everyday "throwing off the weights which so easily beset me." Renewing my mind, if you will.
Folks, we need to quit beating ourselves up. I think we will grow deeper in Christ and actually flourish if we will begin to come into agreement with God. Song of Solomon 1:5 says, "I am dark but lovely to God." We are so quick to acknowledge our sin and shortcomings and we should be, (1 John 2:1-2) but we should also acknowledge at least equally if not more..... I am lovely to God. In the original Hebrew that word lovely means; lovely, fitting, suited which means God thinks all those things about you and me. Lovely to God....doesn't this thought bring joy?
What leads me to sin? The Law. It's very purpose was to point out the fact of sin and how we cannot overcome without the shed blood of Jesus. But with the shed blood of Christ..... limitless potential and the ability to bear much fruit for His glory (John 15:8).
As I deal with my junk I am going to remember, "God wants to redeem you, not exchange you." I'll think on that for awhile.
The unspoken laws of legalism seem to come with the understanding that I am a worm and should feel like one at least nine-tenths of every day. What man made rules never seem to take into account is that I am a created being. Yup created, by God Himself. As I was thinking about this truth (Psalm 139) I had my own profound thought. "When God created me, I don't think He had my "sin nature" in mind."
It makes me wonder more deeply, just how God thinks about these things. I need to know because His is the only perspective that matters. I know "He knit me together" and "knew every one of my days before I had lived a single one", but what was on His mind? Was He thinking of every failure He knew I would make? Every sin that would plague me? My thorns in the flesh?
Personally, I think God is a bigger God than that. I think perhaps He saw the shed blood of Jesus over my life and knew between how He made me and Jesus' blood, I had limitless potential. But how do I attain it? By thinking what He thinks. By everyday "throwing off the weights which so easily beset me." Renewing my mind, if you will.
Folks, we need to quit beating ourselves up. I think we will grow deeper in Christ and actually flourish if we will begin to come into agreement with God. Song of Solomon 1:5 says, "I am dark but lovely to God." We are so quick to acknowledge our sin and shortcomings and we should be, (1 John 2:1-2) but we should also acknowledge at least equally if not more..... I am lovely to God. In the original Hebrew that word lovely means; lovely, fitting, suited which means God thinks all those things about you and me. Lovely to God....doesn't this thought bring joy?
What leads me to sin? The Law. It's very purpose was to point out the fact of sin and how we cannot overcome without the shed blood of Jesus. But with the shed blood of Christ..... limitless potential and the ability to bear much fruit for His glory (John 15:8).
As I deal with my junk I am going to remember, "God wants to redeem you, not exchange you." I'll think on that for awhile.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Embrace of Grace......
A new bridge is being built in my town. Strangely enough, there is already a perfectly good bridge in the exact same location. At least it gives the appearance of being perfectly good. The construction has been frustrating. It has caused traffic backups, created chaos, confusion and an incredible amount of inconvenience. It takes longer to reach a simple destination. Tempers flare and irritation flows faster and stronger than the river the bridge is covering. Though as residents we know that we will be thankful when it is completed, we are just selfish enough to resent the invasion.
Over the last few years my Christian life has been no different. Being raised in a small denominational church I became very familiar with the bridge of religion, legalism, and performance. As a youngster in the church I was duped into believing that this is the bridge that Christ created for me to walk across, to create relationship with Him. But it's not. The bridge Jesus built was one of grace.
As God has been tearing down the old bridge of legalism and performance in my life, it has been frustrating, created chaos, confusion and an incredible amount of inconvenience. I will even admit I have complained. Embracing this life of grace has not been easy. After all, the laws and standards of man was something I understood and could even contribute to. Since it was in the name of Christ it was hard to see that "my righteousness is as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). While legalism kept me trapped in excellent performance, it also trapped me in the desire to have a part in my own salvation. Failure through legalism made me hang my head in shame not run to the foot of the cross.
As the grace of God leaked more and more into my conversations, some fellow Christians felt the need to inform me that this "grace" I was embracing was no more than permission to sin. At first I was intimidated by this "encouragement". However, God and time have proven faithful.
As I have embraced grace, my relationship with Christ has deepened. He has made me safe in transparency and vulnerability. He has shown me how personally He cares for me and I have never had less desire to sin. (Legalism would never permit me to admit to such earthly battles.) Aahhhhh sweet grace. This gift of grace has brought me into a broad place with Jesus. I can with boldness share that I am not perfect, but rather, in my weakness, utterly dependent upon my Savior. This bridge of grace is now one I willingly run over. And thankful for the continued construction of my Savior, I daily walk into the embrace of grace.......
Acts 20:24 (New International Version)
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Over the last few years my Christian life has been no different. Being raised in a small denominational church I became very familiar with the bridge of religion, legalism, and performance. As a youngster in the church I was duped into believing that this is the bridge that Christ created for me to walk across, to create relationship with Him. But it's not. The bridge Jesus built was one of grace.
As God has been tearing down the old bridge of legalism and performance in my life, it has been frustrating, created chaos, confusion and an incredible amount of inconvenience. I will even admit I have complained. Embracing this life of grace has not been easy. After all, the laws and standards of man was something I understood and could even contribute to. Since it was in the name of Christ it was hard to see that "my righteousness is as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). While legalism kept me trapped in excellent performance, it also trapped me in the desire to have a part in my own salvation. Failure through legalism made me hang my head in shame not run to the foot of the cross.
As the grace of God leaked more and more into my conversations, some fellow Christians felt the need to inform me that this "grace" I was embracing was no more than permission to sin. At first I was intimidated by this "encouragement". However, God and time have proven faithful.
As I have embraced grace, my relationship with Christ has deepened. He has made me safe in transparency and vulnerability. He has shown me how personally He cares for me and I have never had less desire to sin. (Legalism would never permit me to admit to such earthly battles.) Aahhhhh sweet grace. This gift of grace has brought me into a broad place with Jesus. I can with boldness share that I am not perfect, but rather, in my weakness, utterly dependent upon my Savior. This bridge of grace is now one I willingly run over. And thankful for the continued construction of my Savior, I daily walk into the embrace of grace.......
Acts 20:24 (New International Version)
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
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