Now that another year of school has come and gone, I can't help but reflect upon it. I simply cannot believe all of the ways that God has matured and stretched me these past few months...it is nothing short of remarkable. Once I gave up control, He began to push me so far out of my comfort zone that the only way I could make it through was by relying fully upon the strength He promises to us. (As a side note, that strength is so far above comprehension...depend on it.)
This may not make any sense, but I'm going to give it a shot. I am so very grateful that God cares enough about me to grow me. The first and most important thing that He changed was my mind. And in the Christian life, "mind" is associated more with "heart" than with "brain." Here is the part that is hard to explain: when I look back to where God has brought me from, I primarily remember my mind being clouded...confused...not clear. I almost don't know how I lived like that. Especially in high school, I allowed the things of my human nature to fill my mind, rather than the Lord. As I've written about before, I did not have my own identity. I don't feel like the same person even right now as I was a year ago, two years ago, five years ago. Praise the Lord!
"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." --2 Corinthians 4:4
I am not saying that I didn't believe. But I am saying that I did not understand the message about the glory of Christ...in fact, I think that is a constant realization achieved as we grow in the Lord. Satan is the deceiver...don't give in...don't let him have a foothold. Because if you give him the opportunity, then he will seize it...undoubtedly.
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." --Luke 6:45
"No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people." --Romans 2:29
A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God; not from people. Amen. So be it. If you get your highs from the praise of men, you will go down to the depths at their criticism. That is a rough road to go down. God is the Source of all...all love...all care...all encouragement...all truth. No person can compare. So why do we try to receive from people things that only God can give?
"I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called--His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance." --Ephesians 1:16b-18
I think that as we seek the Lord more and more, He gives us a deeper understanding of Him...which means that our minds begin to clear. When He teaches us things about Himself, everything else begins to click into place. When we are focused on Him, we can focus on everything else that much easier. Our ministry will become more fruitful...our decisions will be more aligned with His path for us...we will be more receptive to what He is teaching us...we will become less concerned with ourselves and our own desires...we will live for His glory alone...we will lose ourselves. He must increase, I must decrease.
"A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." --Luke 6:45
Go ahead Kels! This was so encouraging to me. Keep seeking, you will find! I love you and miss you (that's right...love) see you in a few..hehe
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