I was walking around my house the other day and my eyes caught upon a book that was sitting on my dining table. I don’t remember the exact title of the book, but I remember the byline was something like “How being Christ centered can prevent divisions without the Church”.
Being the lazy person that I am, I did not open the book, but from the title itself left a deep impression on me.
Being Christ centered and Christ focused is something that is taken as a “given” in our personal and communal Christian lives, but I think it is something that is oftentimes underestimated.
Lately I’ve been overwhelmed with the idea that no matter what is going on in this world, or in our lives, we are supposed to be consumed with the desire to be with God. The reason we are left on this earth is to make an impression on others in His name. We are supposed to be saturated with this longing to be with God. Our focus is upward instead of merely onward.
I think that this concept is one that is easily cast aside for the more exciting ideas of “innovation” and “change”. I do believe that our God is the epitome of innovation and that nothing is impossible with him, and that God, and God alone has the power to change hearts. However, these powerful tools are rendered useless in the life of one who casually forgets where his focus and intention lies.
Our focus and intention have one goal. Christ.
Do we long for him?
Does it consume our being?
It's so easy to get sidetracked by the blessings that the Lord bestows upon us. However, the utmost way to show our gratitude is to constantly place Him where He belongs.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
worth it
I woke up this morning and I felt a distinct twinge of pain. It twisted and flew in my psyche, eventually mixing into with an aura of hopelessness. I felt immersed in loneliness.
However, in the act of dissecting exactly what was happening to me I realized that praising God is praising Him regardless of our emotions. It is really easy to praise God when we feel “gung ho” about our lives, but what about when we feel like there is no hope?
I once listened to a sermon where the speaker implored us to direct our emotions and release them towards the Lord. When I heard that, I understood what he was saying, but I did not understand why. I now understand why.
In the midst of the possibility of great work that will glorify the Lord, the enemy will try to use everything in adversity to this potential great work. Our weaknesses, our insecurities, everything. The more that we value these things the more that they can be use in opposition to the greatness that can occur.
My weakness is that I value these things. I get so caught up in the things that I want it could stand as a hindrance to giving God the glory.
Are we willing to count everything as loss in exchange for God’s glory? It’s so easy to say yes, but it’s really difficult to mean it. Really meaning this statement means willingness to exchange everything for the possibility of God’s glory. This encompasses two very difficult clauses. The first is the fact that the things that we really value, treasure and like are included in this term “everything”. The second is the fact that we are exchanging these things for the possibility of “successful” service, worship, or praise. This means that the work will not necessarily be immediately or outwardly rewarding. Its not always going to be the greatest worship, the greatest service. It may be mediocre. It may be terrible.
However, the key is, is it still worth it? Are we willing to constantly realize that in recognition of the fact that our Lord sacrificed His life, His everything, and endured unfathomable pain on our behalf, that all these possibilities are worth it?
However, in the act of dissecting exactly what was happening to me I realized that praising God is praising Him regardless of our emotions. It is really easy to praise God when we feel “gung ho” about our lives, but what about when we feel like there is no hope?
I once listened to a sermon where the speaker implored us to direct our emotions and release them towards the Lord. When I heard that, I understood what he was saying, but I did not understand why. I now understand why.
In the midst of the possibility of great work that will glorify the Lord, the enemy will try to use everything in adversity to this potential great work. Our weaknesses, our insecurities, everything. The more that we value these things the more that they can be use in opposition to the greatness that can occur.
My weakness is that I value these things. I get so caught up in the things that I want it could stand as a hindrance to giving God the glory.
Are we willing to count everything as loss in exchange for God’s glory? It’s so easy to say yes, but it’s really difficult to mean it. Really meaning this statement means willingness to exchange everything for the possibility of God’s glory. This encompasses two very difficult clauses. The first is the fact that the things that we really value, treasure and like are included in this term “everything”. The second is the fact that we are exchanging these things for the possibility of “successful” service, worship, or praise. This means that the work will not necessarily be immediately or outwardly rewarding. Its not always going to be the greatest worship, the greatest service. It may be mediocre. It may be terrible.
However, the key is, is it still worth it? Are we willing to constantly realize that in recognition of the fact that our Lord sacrificed His life, His everything, and endured unfathomable pain on our behalf, that all these possibilities are worth it?
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