by David Brenneman
We often think of life as a collection of highs and lows. In no way do we consider it a straight line. We read in Proverbs 3:8-9 about how He will make our paths straight. Perspective is everything. We also so often get fed up with repeating a lesson that we run off on the Spirit before a lesson is learned. We see something shiny and lose interest in what we're in the middle of being taught.
Ask yourself the right question. Why would the Spirit repeat a lesson with you?
Our lives from the moment we heard the call, the voice of Jesus, and were saved we began to be the recipient of His work in and through us. The spiritual surgeries will be similar but different for each and every person.
Our thoughts ought to begin to mirror His thoughts. Do you see this happening in you?
Our ways should start mirroring His ways. Do you see the direction of your life doing this?
The emphasis of our lives ought to at all times be on what the Spirit is concerned about in our lives. Not whether we get what we want out of life.
Be sure of this: He who began His work in you will continue in it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NASB95 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus."
That good work is not giving you what you want. That good work is Romans 12. It's 2 Thessalonians 4:3a. It's putting off the old self and its practices and putting on the new self in Christ Jesus.
Practices. Practices is defined by a knowing, intentional, deliberate activity or thought process.
What are you practicing in your life that you are being taught to let go of that you have not yet? What path are you insisting on going down that the Spirit is saying "not yet" or "not now" or just plain "no, it's not for you"?
Make no mistake, in Christ your life is absolutely not your own...in Christ we who came to Him were bought with His precious blood! Isn't that infinitely more important than "things" of this world? Isn't that infinitely more important than you having your way in life?
Why will you be able to stand before Jesus to give an account? Because of what He did on that middle cross. Not because of your achievements. Not because you lived a great life from your perspective.
Are you walking daily with Jesus or are you trying to get Him to walk with you? There's a significant difference.
Are you insisting on changing what you are doing in the body of Christ when Scripture says plainly that it's not up to you?
Are you insisting on stepping away from what lessons He's trying to teach you because you find no pleasure or understanding in them?
The Disciples walked with Jesus by FOLLOWING. They did not direct His path.
Jesus said that we ought to do the same.
Take up our own cross and FOLLOW Him.
We are not to be the best we can be for ourselves. That's blatant self-centered living. Colossians 3:23-34 says that all that we do should be as unto the Lord.
Are you giving Jesus, the Spirit, your Father, your all or all your leftovers?
After you survey your kingdom do you see what might be done for them?
My Dear Reader...take time to evaluate your standing before Jesus before you find out the hard way that you've been fighting against Him in what He's trying to do in and through you.
You might enjoy life, you might not. We aren't promised a fully enjoyable life.
Paul gave a short list of things that happened to him, from being stoned several times, beaten a few times. He says that in all of it God saw him through it. He considered everything loss for the surpassing knowledge of knowing Jesus.
What are you wrestling with God about?
What are you not willing to let go of yet?
Is it going to take death for you to let go of you calling the shots?
Don't let jobs, situations, opportunities, health, anything, come between you and Jesus. Don't let those things put up walls between you and other Believers. Don't let self win the day. Don't let pride win the day.
Remember...trust and obey...for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus...but to trust and obey.
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