I read through Luke 6 & 7 today, but before I look at that, I want to look at the question I asked at the end of Wednesday's post. Why would I want to go my own way instead of God's way, when I know that His is better? I realize that even asking that question sounds as though I'm always wise enough to choose His way, but that's not the case. There are enough times when I get it wrong that God's unconditional love and boundless mercy can still surprise and amaze me on a daily basis. So I thought I'd try to take an honest look at a couple of my so-called 'reasons' for doing things my way... (not necessarily in order of frequency):
1. Impatience - I know God has something good in store for me, but since I can't see it yet, I settle for something less, something I can see right now. (This really shows a lack of trust in God to follow through on His promises, and since He always does, that blows this excuse out of the water... I need to remember the times He's been faithful, and be patient.) This excuse can play out through entitlement or fear, and I believe it springs from what 1 John 2:16 calls the lust of the eyes, the "I see it, so I must have it" mentality. The enemy of this mentality, and the strategy I need to use to fight it, is hope. Romans 8:25 says, "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
2. Weakness - Whether physically, mentally or emotionally exhausted, at times I allow my spiritual guard to slip, and all at once I seem to be overcome by the desires of my flesh, played out in sudden surges of pride, lust, anger, bitterness, just to name a few. (This shows a lack of understanding of God's strength despite my weakness, as well as what I think is a lack of spiritual preparation.) Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." and again, 2 Corinthians 11:30 says, "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness."
Why in the world would I boast about my weakness? Certainly not to excuse it, or confuse it with strength, but because it gives God all the glory for the good that He brings about in my life. After all, the Godly Man Project is His project - I'm just trying to work alongside Him, in agreement with His blueprints for my life.
That brings me back to the book of Luke. There is so much of substance in the chapters I read, I know I'll have to try to come back and address some of it later, but for now I'll just focus on the story of the sinful woman who poured perfume on Jesus' feet, particularly Luke 7:47, where Jesus says, "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Why remind myself of my faults? Not to justify them, but to remind myself just how much I've been forgiven - so that I might truly be reminded to love the One who forgave me just as much. His way, the right way, reaches to me even in the middle of going my own way and calls me to share in a boundless, limitless love. What can I say? Yes please!
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