Christ in Me

Source: Unsplash, Sarah Millar

 I've been reflecting quite a bit about the reality that I am united to Christ.

One way I picture this is as a set of Matryoshka dolls, also known as Russian nesting dolls.

Here's how I see it: I am the small doll, and once I placed my faith in Jesus and was born again, I was opened up and the Holy Spirit was placed inside of me (see 1 Corin 6:19, Rom 8:9). At the same time, I became united to Christ, so it's as though the second doll (Jesus) opened up and I was placed inside. Paul uses the phrase "hidden in him" in Colossians 3:3 to describe this phenomenon. And then we three were placed inside the largest doll, God the Father. So, in effect, I am in Christ, the Holy Spirit is inside me, but we are both in the Father, and we are all one. I don't become a deity or share in the godhead in a divine way, but I am a co-heir with Christ and all of Christ's righteousness has been inputed to me, so that when God sees me, He sees Christ.

Yes, even with an object lesson, it can make your head hurt!

But this is the profound mystery, the glorious inheritance and daily identity that we live and move in, every moment of every day as believers.

Jesus says it like this, as recorded in the Gospel of John: 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”   John 14:18-21 (emphasis mine)

And as Christ goes on to explain, this position that we have works itself out in obedience.  Because I am in Christ, and God lives in me, I can think, act, and serve differently. 

Consequently, I am also protected from the enemy in this Matryoshka dolls configuration.  

Nothing can get to me that has not gone through the Father first. See Lam 3:37-38

Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. See Romans 8:38-39

What a promise!  What a position!  May we bask in the beauty and security we share as believers in Christ today.  I pray it would impact your day, dear friend, and may this beautiful truth work itself out in the way you work, serve, think, and act today.

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United To Christ

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I've been a Christian for over 35 years, but it wasn't until recently that I've better understood the profound theological truth that I am united to Christ.

Being "in" Christ is actually a very common way the New Testament authors describe our identity, position, and hope as Christ followers.  Several places in Scripture refer to this deep spiritual union (see 1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 states it this way: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” 

We also see a lot of ink spilled on this concept from early church leaders such as Ignatius of Antioch and Ambrose (the mentor of Augustine).

Personally, I've come to understand my oneness with Christ to be like conjoined twins. When I was an elementary student, I remember being taught that these were "Siamese twins"--a politically incorrect term today--but it speaks to the first recognized pair of conjoined twins from Siam (modern day Thailand), Chang and Eng Bunker, born in 1811. 

 

Chang and Eng Bunker

I had to write a report about these conjoined twins and tell my class all about their lives. Chang and Eng had fused livers and left Siam as teenagers to be part of the curiosities exhibition of P.T. Barnam. They toured Europe and the U.S. for over a decade, became wealthy, and settled down with wives in North Carolina to live out their days until they died at age 62. 

I remember being floored as a young student to imagine how they lived, traveled, married, and especially how they fathered 21 children, all while being united to each other. How in the world?! That must have been awkward!

But this is how I understand my relationship to Christ as a child of His.

He is not my side-kick or helper. He is part of me--we share a mind, a heart, a spirit. I can't uncouple myself from Him, go or sin or "do life," and then reattach myself at whim.  To put it more explicitly, if I were to hop into someone else's bed, cut someone off in traffic, or overdo it at a drinking establishment, Christ does all of these things, too. Conversely, because of my union with Christ, I can love people well. I can push back the dark thoughts, because I have a sound mind, the mind of Christ. He is in me; we are united.

Likewise, due to my unbreakable union with Him, there is no need for me to fear. Psalm 23:4 says it this way:

 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Jesus is with me in a much more profound way than any other human ever could be. For example, when I gave birth to my children, my faithful husband was with me, wiping my brow, holding my hand, and cheering me on, but he was unable to actually enter into my pain and could never hope to experience it or know it. But Christ can and does.

Our union with Christ is also the foundation for our victory over sin. Because Jesus has conquered sin and death, we can, too.  More on this in another blog post, but for now, check out Romans 6:5-11 to learn more.

I think we would live very different lives as Chrisitians if we truly understood the profound truth that we are united with Him, inexorably and forever connected.

Would you be willing to consider this concept more fully this week, in your own life, dear friend?

You can start by looking up some of the verses peppered throughout this blog post or by reading one of the fantastic resources that have taught me much this past year:

Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne or One with My Lord by Sam Allberry.

May you--may I--take in the beauty and wonder of this exquisite truth of our union with Christ, and may it forever inform our day-to-day decision making, settle our spirits, and give us joy and hope unlike anything we've ever known.

 “There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are.”  --Charles Spurgeon

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Lean Not

 

Source: Unsplash, Rapha Wilde

It is rare that I spend any length of time meditating upon and studying one or two verses of the Bible.  But this summer, I've been camped out on Proverbs 3:5-6 for the past 3 months. 

It is a familiar passage for many of us:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

And with the help of Megan Fate Marshman's book, Bible study, and streaming videos, I've been able to deeply dive into this passage. 

Her chapters are entitled "Trust in the Lord" and "With All Your Heart," followed by "Lean Not" and then "On Your Own Understanding."

In this way, you are not only dipping into a concept, but bathing in it, meditating upon it, and being honest with your own heart before God.

But this isn't just a book review blog post, because God has been teaching me more about trusting Him and leaning on Him, far outside the reaches of these pages.

You see, I have had the privilege of helping a family member this summer who has suffered through a diagnosis and surgery that has left her with the need to relearn how to ambulate and how to transfer seats, among other skills.

For one week, I had a front-row seat to watch how she would muster the strength to stand, sling her arms around her father's neck, transfer her full body-weight to his strong frame, and then pivot from the couch into her wheelchair.  

It was almost like a beautifully choreographed dance--stepping out, transferring weight, trusting, pivoting, placing feet, moving throughout the home, moving throughout her day. It wasn't necessarily glamourous--no glittery ballgowns or high-heeled shoes--but a beautiful waltz none-the-less of trust, faith, and surrender.

How ridiculous it would have been for her to lean upon herself--how unproductive, and frankly, how dangerous!

And of course, as I watched this object lesson over and over again, each day while we stayed with our family, the Lord would bring these questions to mind in my own life...

Do you trust me enough to lean your FULL weight upon me?

Do you see how foolish it is to lean upon your own strength and understanding?

Do you see the simple beauty of this dance...this Gospel Waltz? (another great book I'd highly recommend!)

And so I sit in the silence and ponder these questions afresh, all these days later.

Trusting God as we launch our first daughter to college, 1500 miles away.

Trusting God as we pivot to homeschooling high school for our youngest daughter.

Trusting God as we minister in new ways in our local church.

Trusting God with our futures, with our finances, with all things seemingly great and even those that seem trivial and small.

Leaning upon Him and trusting His wisdom, and not upon my own...for this moment, for this day, for this season.

Will you lean into this dance, as well, dear friend, in the areas where God has been nudging you to trust Him fully? I pray that we would be a part of this beautiful dance, as we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and to give us strength, every moment of every day.

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You Say

Source: pinterest.com

This is a beautiful song, and I know more than just a few of us need to hear this today.

It reminds us that we are more than our feelings.

It helps us to see that we are more than the sum total of our strengths and weaknesses, victories and sinful moments.

Understanding who I am in Christ is something I still struggle with...and probably always will, this side of heaven.  Because, when it boils down to it, living by faith and not by sight just never gets any easier I find.

It's definitely not a topic that is new here on the blog:  I've written about it here before...okay, more than once actually.

So, today I'd like these beautiful song lyrics by Lauren Daigle to just speak for themselves.

Allow them to wash over you in beautiful poetic form, and I hope you will YouTube it to hear the song and the words together, and meditate upon it today, dear friend.

So, here are the lyrics to "You Say."  May it encourage you today, dear friend, in whatever you are facing, and give you strength to do warfare against whatever lies the Enemy is whispering in your ear right now.

"I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough

Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?

Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe, oh I believe

What You say of me

I believe                                                                                                                                  

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity,

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe, oh I believe

What You say of me

I believe                                                                                                                                     

Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet

You have every failure God, and You'll have every victory, 

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours

And I believe, oh I believe

What You say of me

I believe"

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You Don't Have To Own It

Source: cntraveler.com

I like to think of critical thoughts, negative comments, or, as the Bible calls them "undeserved curses" as those lost and lonely suitcases at the airport, circling around and around on those black, floppy conveyor belts.

You see, no matter how many times it goes around again, and you see it...

You don't have to pick it up.

You don't have to own it.

You can walk away.

You don't have to take it home with you.

You don't have to carry that burden.

Even if you see it go around on that conveyor belt a thousand times, you do not have to pick it up.

It is not yours.

Why?

Because you are who GOD says you are.

You are spoken for.

You are His.

Will you reflect upon this one with me today, dear friend?

Will you take a moment to pause before you head straight for that conveyor belt and pick up that old beat-up suitcase when someone says a word of criticism over you, or when you hear your inner critic; those thoughts that tell you that you are other, less than, unworthy, unloved?

You can watch that suitcase come.

And you can watch it go right.on.by.

It doesn't define you.

It's not yours, and never will be.

"Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest."  Proverbs 26:2

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Being vs. Seeming

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I've heard this idea of "being and not seeming" not once, not twice, but THREE times over the past month...and if I learned anything from my tenth-grade English teacher, it was this:

"If you read about it [a symbol, theme, etc] once, it's an occurrence.
If you read about it twice, it's a coincidence.
If you read about it three times...it's a paper topic." --Mr. Nickles

Since I've heard this idea framed in several different contexts recently, I thought I'd share some thoughts about it on today's post, as it has truly spoken to my soul and challenged my heart these past few weeks.

I first heard about this concept of "being vs. seeming" last month when my pastor was preaching about goodness, one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter five.  Pastor Walt defined goodness as "moral excellence, integrity, and uprightness," as it relates to our character, our comments (speech), and commitments.    He spoke about striving to put away ALL falsehood in our hearts, not merely appearing to be good, but actually being good.  He referred to the Latin phrase "Esse quam videri," meaning, "to be rather than to seem." (Which also serves as the state motto of North Carolina...fun trivia fact for tonight's dinner conversation!)

Christ exhorts us as believers to do this when He chastised the scribes and the Pharisees who were content to merely appear to be holy and lawful on the outside, but in actuality, were sinful and hard-hearted on the inside.  He warns them:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness...You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?..."  Matthew 23:27, 33

Pastor Walt didn't just stop there.  He went on to challenge us believers not to be selectively vulnerable with ourselves and others.  That is what is tempting for us all to do, whether it be in our personal interactions, on social media, and for me, on this blog.  For example, while we may be willing to be vulnerable in certain areas (like sharing about anxiety), we may fail to show true, godly integrity by neglecting our need for repentance and accountability with a secret sin we are embroiled in (like a pornography addiction, for example).  Now do not misunderstand: I am not saying we need to splash all of our fears, sins, and "air all our dirty laundry," so to speak, for all to see online and in our daily lives.  But what I am saying--and I think Pastor Walt was getting at--is that we must be honest with ourselves, and God, and grapple with this issue of seeming vs. being at the heart level.  Then, we must strive to be obedient to share our hurts, sins, and concerns with others as God sees fit.

Earlier today was the most recent occurrence when I learned more about this idea of "being versus seeming."  My daughter and I were watching an online writer's workshop given by author S.D. Smith on the Read Aloud Revival.  During this workshop session, Smith was telling young writers that it is more important to "be" a writer than to "seem" like a writer.  In other words, he was advocating for them to actually do the important and necessary work of writing (which is often non-glamorous and tedious, requiring discipline and consistency) rather than wearing the cool graphic "writer's" T-shirt or hanging out with their artsy friends, just trying to seem like a writer.

I know what S.D. Smith was talking about.

My "real" runner friends are content to run in whatever beat-up shorts and T-shirts they can find.  It doesn't matter.  As long as they have a good pair of running shoes, they are sure to hit the pavement day after day.  Sure, they might own compression stockings or quick-dry athletic shirts, but for them, the real joy of running is putting one foot in front of the other on miles-long trails.  Meanwhile, when I run a 10K, I make it my aim to raise support money, wear the flashy team jersey (and maybe a tiara sweat band!), and revel only in the cause.  My passion?  Clean water.  Theirs? The joy of running (which may or may not include non-profit organizations!).

So what about you, dear friend?  How have you "appeared" to be this week when others ask you how you are doing in the hallway at church or when you and a neighbor have stopped to chat?  Have you given consideration to how your social media accounts make you appear to be, versus how you actually are?  Are you content to only be selectively vulnerable with your small group at church or in your ladies' Bible study?  Or are you truly being honest with yourself, and the Lord, and opening up to give and receive from others the help and encouragement you need on your faith journey?

May we ALL endeavor to actually be what we are called by God to be, and NOT be content to merely seem to be that way, both in our daily lives, and online, in the days and weeks to come!

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Mighty Warrior

Source: Etsy, crafty mama gifts

Now, I know we've discussed this before on the blog.

But it's been awhile.

And if you are anything like me, you suffer from what pastor and author Paul Tripp calls "identity amnesia."

I constantly forget who I am in Christ.

I forget whose I am through Christ.

I forget all about my heavenly inheritance and the resurrection power I have at my disposal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year until eternity.

I've been camping out in Judges lately, doing a deep dive into the character of Gideon and the role he played in unifying the people of God to have victory over their enemy (see Judges chapter 6-8).

I've marveled afresh at how the Angel of the Lord addresses him, as Gideon is threshing wheat under the cover of darkness, in a wine press, at a time and place that is allowing him to go unnoticed by the Midianites, who have made it their business to steal the Israelites' harvest for seven years strong.

"The Lord is with you, O Mighty Warrior," the Angel of the Lord says.

But hold up!  Wait!!  There is nothing mighty or valiant about Gideon!

And he has never gone to war or been a warrior in any capacity!

Even Gideon owns up to this when this angel goes on to call him to lead the Israelites, stating that his is the weakest clan in the land, and he is the least in his father's house (see Judges 6:15).

But you see, God doesn't see it that way, as He promises His presence and power to clothe Gideon.

I woke up the other day with such an impression on my mind that I wrote it down in my bed-side journal before my feet even hit the floor.

          I AM WHO GOD SAYS I AM

What I love about that sentiment is that it starts and ends with God Himself, "I AM," the name that Yahweh revealed to Moses from the burning bush (see Exodus 3).  He hems me in, behind and before me (Psalm 139:5).  He clothes me in Himself and His righteousness and power.

I am reminded anew that I am ONLY what GOD says I am because HE alone sees and knows the ultimate truth, the only reality.

You see, dear one, as a believer in Christ, this is true of you, too.

You aren't your feelings.

You aren't your circumstances.

You aren't what or who other people say or think you are.

You aren't who you used to be.

You aren't defined by your intellect.

You aren't defined by your bank account.

You aren't defined by the number of "likes" you receive or your number of "followers."

You aren't defined by your abilities or accomplishments.

You are exactly who GOD says you are:

A valiant warrior.

Beloved and cherished.

Wanted and known.

Perhaps, like me, you forget this truth a lot!  But take heart today, dear one.  Renew your mind with the truth of God.

And this week, never forget that the Lord is with you, O Mighty Warrior!  And all power and authority has been given to you in heaven to be victorious over the Enemy!

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The Right Weapon

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It has definitely been a week of highs and lows in our household!  Even though I don't have much time to blog right now, I do want to reflect upon some truth today and encourage us BOTH in whatever we are facing today, in this moment.

My son recently bought the Indiana Jones' novel trilogy at our local library book sale, which are based upon the Harrison Ford movies.  His daddy told him that after he read each one, he'd be able to watch the movie with us, so that has been a fun motivator for him to read through the books.  After he'd read Raiders of the Lost Ark, we popped some popcorn and snuggled in for a family movie night.  Minus a few scenes when we had the kids cover their eyes (especially the ending when the Ark is opened!), it was a fun movie experience for us all.

While I had watched the film many years ago, I had forgotten a lot of the story details and specific scenes.

One scene that actually made us all chuckle, was when Indiana Jones faced off with an Arabian man who was wielding a large, curved sword.  He swung it in wide arcs, moving it with precision on either side of his body, raising it high over his head, then turning it right and left down to the ground.  It was an impressive display of power and strength, and even made Indiana Jones pause and hesitate, presumably in fear.

However, after about a minute of these antics, Indiana changed his stance and firmly planted his feet apart, reached toward his hip and grabbed his gun. He aimed it straight at the Arabian man and shot him down dead with a single bullet!

"Never bring a sword to a gun fight," my husband told the kids, after our laughter had died down.

So true.

I do this so often when I am faced with attacks from the enemy, spiritually speaking.

I listen to his lies and cower in fear and intimidation.

I forget that I wield a much more powerful, decisive weapon within my heart, mind, and soul through the Word of God, if only I would renew my mind with the truth and USE it!

Let us never forget, dear friend, that the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world! (see 1 John 4:4)

Let us not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the enemy who speaks lies, whose only mission is to steal our joy, kill our faith, and destroy our families.

Instead, let's fight with the right weapon, in the resurrection power we have in Christ, armed with the full armor of God today.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." --Ephesians 6:10-18

We do not have to cower in fear for one more minute.

Let's fight right!

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The One Thing

Photograph courtesy of Andria Hoffman

I recently enjoyed a wonderful weekend away with the ladies in my church on a women's retreat to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.  The weather was gorgeous--some of our first warm days this spring--and I just basked in the beauty of God's creation, His word, and His people all weekend long.

The focus of the women's retreat was on Psalm 27, a portion of scripture written by David while he was being hotly pursued by the insanely jealous King Saul.  I've included the psalm in its entirety in today's post because every verse of it is so powerful and moving:

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

9     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look
 upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!  (Psalm 27, ESV, emphases mine)

One of the most powerful aspects of this psalm was discussed during the first session of the retreat when we focused on God as our light, salvation, and stronghold and how these particular truths speak to our fear (see verse 1).  In small groups, we discussed what each of these terms really mean and how we would visualize them in our lives.  Our speaker, Pam, offered up this truth for each of us to consider:

"If God is your stronghold, you are free to be weak"  --Pam Fahrner

WOW!  This was such a freeing reality for me to just rest in, as an overachiever, homeschooling mother who has many balls in the air at any one time.  I am continuing to pray over what this truth means for me in my daily life:  How I can rest, be vulnerable with my struggles, and reach out to others in light of the fact that GOD is my stronghold?  This amazing reality frees me to serve and do all the many things God has called me to do with joy because I can do them in His strength, not my own!

Another powerful verse from Psalm 27--one which provided the title for our weekend gathering, "One Thing"--is verse 4 which speaks to the "one thing" that David asks God for in the midst of his struggle with Saul.  Instead of asking God for protection, relief, and revenge (like I would!), David asks for God's presence and desires to seek His face (see also vs. 8-9).  Pam challenged us to wake up each day prayerfully, asking God to help us seek His face first in all things.  I have been encouraged through doing this in the days that have followed since the retreat, and it has brought a profound focus to my days.

How do the truths found in Psalm 27 speak life and hope into your heart today, dear friend?  God is so good and faithful to His people, even during the storms and trials of life.  If you are struggling and desire to learn more about seeking God's face in the midst of your trials, I wholeheartedly recommend this devotional from Paul David Tripp which contains 52 biblical reflections on Psalm 27.  Each of us on the retreat received a complimentary copy, and I have enjoyed reading it each day.

I trust that you, too, will be blessed as you seek God's face as your "one thing" each day this week, and for the weeks and months to come!  Let us encourage one another to NEVER forget that God alone is our light, our stronghold, our salvation, and our only hope!

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Transformed by Love

Photo source: mashable.com

I just finished watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast with my children.

It is a beautiful story of romance and transformation, of love and courage.

But like all good stories, it is really a retelling of the best story of them all:

the gospel story.

For just as Beast was cursed from an enchantress, aren't we all cursed from the Fall of Adam and Eve.  Don't we all live in a colder, harsher reality than the one in which God created and intended for us to dwell?  Don't we ache with the desire for redemption in our hearts?

Like Beast, aren't we all held prisoner by the ugliness and curse of sin?

Aren't we all given to fits of anger, depression, anxiety, and feel alone, misunderstood, and without hope?

In fact, the Scriptures speak to this very thing, right here in the Psalms...

When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
 I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

And yet, even as boorish and beastly as we can be in our sin, Christ chose to love us and be near us, for now into eternity.  The psalmist continues...

 Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.      --Psalm 73:21-26

My favorite part of the movie is towards the end, when Beast undergoes a miraculous transformation back into a handsome prince; this happens only when he is truly loved, unconditionally and sacrificially, by Belle.

And just like Beast, we too are transformed because of Christ's love and sacrifice.

Because He loves us...
...our curse is lifted
...we are able to truly love (1 John 4:19)
...we transform from a hideous and damned creature into the beautiful bride of Christ
...we step from hopelessness and death to everlasting hope and eternal life!

My question for each of us today is: Do we walk in that identity, dear one? Do we see it with wonder, afresh each day?  Do we live in the truth that we are loved, accepted, chosen, granted life and hope and peace and beauty--not based on our own merit, but in spite of ourselves, because of God's free gift of salvation to us?!

Oh, how I pray we would walk in that joy and freedom today!

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Unlikely Vessels

Rahab and the Scarlet Thread
Photo source: womenofthebibleoils.com

Do you ever struggle to believe that God can use you, a sinner, for the furtherance of His Kingdom? Maybe you don't have any special skills, like teaching or preaching, or the gift of evangelism or prophecy, and you feel like God can not use you very much in the service of His church.

I know I have struggled in this way!  How can God use me, a person of such little influence?

Well, I wanted to dive into the story of Rahab today--a person who seems very unlikely to be used of God.  After all, we learn from the Scriptures that she was a prostitute, and she was outside the people of God, being a Gentile.  Let's take a moment to read her story in the second chapter of Joshua:

"And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, 'Go, view the land, especially Jericho.' And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.  And it was told to the king of Jericho, 'Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.' Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, 'Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.'  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, 'True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.' But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out."

Here we see Rahab hiding the Jewish spies sent by Joshua to survey the city of Jericho.  Why would she do such a thing, knowing that these people intended to destroy and take over her homeland?  The next few verses explain her heart, starting with verse 9:

 “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.

Did you catch that?  Rahab was placing her trust in the God of Israel, the one true God.  And so, she goes on to talk to the spies about sparing her life, and the lives of her family, since she has helped to save their lives.  The spies agree and instruct her to dangle a scarlet thread from her window (as her house was built into the city wall) so they will see it when they come back to destroy Jericho.  In this way, they will know to keep her and her household away from harm.  (Check out this post to learn more about the fascinating symbolism of this scarlet thread!)

And so it is--Rahab, a non-Jewish former prostitute, is mightily used by God to spare the lives of the Israelite spies and enable them to be successful with their plan to destroy Jericho and claim the land God had promised to His people.  And, even more surprisingly, we see that Rahab would go on to bear Boaz, who marries Ruth, and she would be a part of the family lineage of King David and Jesus Himself!

So, the next time you are feeling like you cannot be used of God--either because you lack influence, skills, or because of your former sins--remember the message we see in the life of Rahab!  God DOES and CAN use us ALL for His glory!

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Extravagant Love

Photo source www.inspiredbythis.com

There are many Bible passages that speak about God's love for us.  However, when I really want a picture of God's extravagant, undeserved, transformative love for me, I skip straight past John 3:16 and head toward a more obscure book of the Bible--Ezekiel chapter 16.

This passage speaks to God's love and redemption of the nation of Israel, but it also speaks to how God loves us as individuals, too (for more on how God deals with His people as both a "me" and a "we," check out this post).

 Let's take a look at this passage, starting with verse 4:

"And as for your birth, on the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to cleanse you, nor rubbed with salt, nor wrapped in swaddling cloths. No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you out of compassion for you, but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born."

This passage starts out on a very graphic note.  It unabashedly describes us in our fallen, natural state, likening us to a bloodied newborn baby who has been discarded in a field and left for dead.

Photo source pinterest.com

This imagery is shocking, and it makes my stomach turn, but if we are honest with ourselves and take in the whole counsel of Scripture, we will discover that this description is a very accurate one:

• we are dirty and unclean...sinful and depraved
• we are naked...an image that is always associated with shame, in the Garden, on the Cross.
• we are orphaned...rejected, lost, and outside the family of God
• we are helpless...unable to do anything for ourselves
• we are hopeless...no one has compassion or pities us in this state
• we are abhorred...this is a strong word meaning hated and despised, and is the same word used in the Psalms to describe how much God hates sinners (see Psalm 5).

Fortunately the tone of the passage changes as God enters into the picture.  Continue with me, picking up with verse 6:

 “And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!’ I made you flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment. Your breasts were formed, and your hair had grown; yet you were naked and bare."

God sees us wallowing in our blood and His word over us is "Live!"  He does not leave us for dead, but breaths new life into us and allows us to thrive and grow and develop into maturity.  This imagery depicts the common grace that He shows to all people.  He is compassionate, offering love and life and hope to all.

Some time goes by and the Scripture says God passes by us again:

“When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine. Then I bathed you with water and washed off your blood from you and anointed you with oil. I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. And I adorned you with ornaments and put bracelets on your wrists and a chain on your neck.  And I put a ring on your nose and earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown on your head.  Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour and honey and oil. You grew exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty. And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord God."  --Ezekiel 16:8-14

This time we see God covering our nakedness with His garment and entering into a covenant with us. He washes us and anoints us with oil.  These are symbolic gestures that speak to the forgiveness of sin and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  This depicts the covenantal, saving grace God extends to believers in Him, forgiving them and adopting them as sons.  God offers His inheritance and riches to us through Christ, and we see this dramatically unfold as God is pictured as clothing this woman--His bride, the Church, us as believers corporately as well as individually--with exquisite clothing and jewels, fine linen, embroidered cloth, silk, gold rings, bracelets and necklaces.  He gives her precious delicacies to eat like honey and fine flour and oil, and the Scripture goes on to state that she "advanced to royalty."  What a sublime picture of being adopted as a child of God and becoming an heir to His throne!  What a long way she has come: from being an abandoned, bloody, helpless infant cast aside in a field, to a royal beauty...the very bride of Christ!

THAT is the love the Father has for us, dear one.  Do you take the time to understand this love and stand strong in that throughout your day?  If you are like me, you probably don't.  Oh, how we both need to remind ourselves of this truth today!  I pray that these graphic images would sear their way into our hearts and minds, even if they are very raw and uncomfortable in soooo many ways.  You are--I am--that dirty, rejected, abandoned infant without hope...and yet, through Christ, we are made into the royal bride of Christ, loved, anointed, and utterly transformed.  Fellow believer, let us walk in light of that identity today!  I think we will find it will make all the difference.

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God as Father

Photo source: dreamicus.com

I recently told my sister that my life--our lives--would be radically different if we truly understood the first two chapters of Ephesians.  In this epistle, Paul teaches such a rich theology of who we are in Christ: our forgiveness, reconciliation, adoption as sons*, and the unspeakable inheritance and spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

Today, however, I'd like to tease apart one aspect of this mind boggling identity we have as believers in Christ, and that is our adoption as sons.  Theologian J.I. Packer speaks to this in his classic, Knowing God:

“'What is a Christian?' The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father…Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption…The truth of our adoption gives us the deepest insights that the New Testament affords into the greatness of God’s love. Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the the gospel than that."

My pastor would say it this way: salvation is good, adoption is better.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray in light of this truth: Our Father, who art in Heaven.  The content and our entire posture of our prayers ought to be grounded in this truth.  It would seem that our entire biblical theology--what we know and believe about God--pivots on our understanding of this reality of God as Father.

So what exactly does this mean at street level, in our daily lives...in our all day-to-day moments?

Well, allow me to offer my humble perspective in bullet point fashion:

1. Access--we have insider access to the listening ear, and to the very heart, of the King of the Universe.  Let me give you an example of what this looks like: I can remember being a child and visiting the corrugated cardboard box factory where my father worked as general manager.  He gave me a tour of the factory floor, and I remember it being exhilarating to walk by all those big, loud machines and then leave the the factory behind and enter into the office space, straight to the big boss's office--his office.  And not only that, but I could see my family's portrait--a picture of my face--displayed on his desk for everyone to see.  That brings me to my next point...

2--Relationship--we not only have access to the King, but we are His beloved child!  As Ephesians explains it, we who were once far off have been brought near in Christ, grafted into one family as Jews and Gentiles.  In fact, Paul states that God is our Abba Father--Abba being translated as Daddy (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6). We are brought near indeed!  You can see this relationship so vividly in Jesus's parable of the prodigal son: the Father awaits the return of his wayward and rebellious son, and runs out to meet him, hugging him and kissing him and instructing his servants to clothe him in a robe, place a ring on his finger, and prepare a feast to celebrate his return (Luke 15:11-32).

3--Position--as sons, we have an inheritance to the estate of the master.  In biblical times, the first born son would receive a double portion of the inheritance and would inherit his father's role as head of the family.  This is Christ's position, the "first born over all creation" (Colossians 1:15-16).  As Christ followers, we share in His inheritance of the Father, as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Let me close by telling you about a very moving testimony.  I recently watched an animated biography of a Christ follower whom I believe offers the best example of someone who truly embraced and lived in light of this theology of sonship.  His name was Kaboo, although he would later take the English name of Samuel Morris.  Kaboo was born a prince in Liberia, Africa, but was captured as a boy by a warring tribe.  Miraculously, he escaped from being burned alive at the stake and later was brought to a missionary church and heard the gospel.  He became a Christian and from that time forward, he always referred to God as "my Father."  He attended the missionary school and learned English, desiring to travel to America to learn more about God so he could return one day and preach the gospel to his native people.  Throughout his testimony, when he faced any decision or obstacle, Samuel Morris would say "my Father will enable me to..." or "my Father will provide...." Perhaps, being a prince himself, he was able to truly understand what sonship meant--this concept of having access, relationship, and position with the King of Kings.

How about you, dear friend?  Do you see God as your Abba Father who loves you, and has given you the position and access of a beloved son?  If so, does your daily life reflect this security?  Do your prayers speak to this?  If you are like me, I would venture to say no.  Let us take a moment and reflect upon our adoption as sons in a fresh way today, and ask God to teach us more about this crucial aspect of our Christian walk.  I truly believe that it will be transformative for our lives and hearts if we do!



*Note: some women would prefer to interject "daughter" here, but they would sorely miss the point! In biblical times, only the son would be the heir of the estate and enjoy the full rights of inheritance from his father.  This Greek construction--adoption as son--is one word and hardly puts down women, but just the opposite!  It elevates us all to the position of heir!

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The Rock

Last week, my kids and I enjoyed a field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  We saw many early Renaissance pieces, Impressionist paintings, and sculptures, but one piece, a ceremonial shield, truly ministered to me in a fresh way.

Here is the piece shown in more detail: it is a leather-covered wooden shield depicting the victory of David over the giant Goliath.

This is a Bible story most of us are very familiar with, and yet, I had never stopped to consider all the many connections this biblical account has with other parts of Scripture.

If you look at the shield closely (feel free to click on the picture above to enlarge it!), you can see David swinging a loaded slingshot, and yet, Goliath has already been killed and decapitated beneath his feet.  It is as though two separate periods of time are depicted--the present and the future. Very unusual, right?  However, this got me to thinking...aren't we as believers in Christ already victors over death and sin, even as we struggle in the midst of them today?  Do we truly realize that the battle has already been won, thanks to Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and does the way in which we live our lives reflect this biblical reality?

Another thing that struck me afresh in this painting is the rock in Goliath's forehead.  I had always associated the word "stone" with the story of David and his slingshot, but I started to think about the word "rock" as I took in this painting during our tour.

Where else in Scripture is God described as our Rock?

"I love you, O Lord, my strength.
  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies."   --Psalm 18:1-3

Just as David was victorious by slinging his rock at the evil giant, are we not also the victors as God battles for us, as our Rock?  It is not our fist that must strike evil, but it is our God, our Rock, that does battle in our stead, for as I am reminded in Jehosephat's account, the battle is truly the Lords!

"And he said, 'Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's."'    --2 Chronicles 20:15

And it is not only the God of the Old Testament that is described as our Rock; Jesus, too, is called the "cornerstone" of the Church:

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."  --Ephesians 2:19-22

Furthermore, Peter's confession of stating "You are Christ" is the Rock upon which His mighty Church stands.  The Church will always be victorious, being built upon this Rock of Christ.

"He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." --Matthew 16:15-18

And, there is so much more, dear friend!  We, too, as believers, are called "living stones" and are being built up into this mighty fortress, as a temple to the Lord.

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  --1 Peter 2:4-5

Do you see it, dear friend?  Do you see this beautiful symbolism of the rock in Goliath's forehead?

• God Himself is our Rock
• He fights and wins our battles for us
• Christ, the cornerstone, the foundation of the Church, will prevail victorious
• We, His living stones, are being built up and strengthened for His glory

May you be encouraged today, dear one, in whatever battle you are in, or in the midst of staring down whatever giant you are facing--God is the Rock in your sling, you are His living stone, part of His victorious Church, and you WILL stand victorious!

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Going to the Mop Bucket

I recently rewatched Annie with my kids, the musical featuring Aileen Quinn as that cheeky little red-headed orphan that I fell in love with when I was little.

But something new struck me this time around, something profound about our relationship with the Lord as believers.

You see, in so many ways, we are like Annie.  Orphaned and estranged from our Father, lost and without hope in our sin.  And yet, somehow by His grace, love and mercy, He chooses us and rescues us to be a part of His family.

He chooses us, not based upon anything we do, say, think, or strive for...but inspite of all these things.

He chooses us and rescues us and takes us out of that miserable orphanage, under the reign of Mrs. Hannigan (err...death and sin) and brings us into His palatial mansion. (Of course, unlike the film, He Himself came to Earth and entered into our "dirty little orphanage"...instead of sending his secretary Grace to do such things that might be beneath Him or a waste of His precious time!)

And when Annie, all disheveled, enters into Oliver Warbuck's house (a house so large and grand that she mistakes it as a train station!), and is asked what the first thing she'd like to do is, she surveys the place with a sweeping glance and then heads straight for...

...the mop bucket.

You see, Annie assumed she has to wash the windows and the floors, and when Grace stops her and says she does not have to clean and do chores, Annie asks incredulously,

"Well, then...how am I supposed to earn my keep?"

Oh, dear friend, how often do we do this as the children of God?!!  How often do we simply forget the grace that has been freely given to us when we were adopted and entered into the family of God...and now feel as though we must earn our keep as His children by all of our works--praying, memorizing Scripture, giving to the poor, serving others, reading our Bibles, etc, etc, etc.

But we get the order of things all mixed up--God calls us into relationship with Him.  Like "Daddy" Warbucks, He does not want us to clean the windows...He would rather us join Him in the pool, or on a helicopter ride to see the President!

Now, do not misunderstand me--these works--these expressions of our faith will most certainly come--but not as a way to "earn our keep" like Annie presumed.  Instead, they will be an outflow of our relationship with God, as our Abba ("Daddy") Father, through His guidance and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.  So let us never head to the mop bucket as children of God, ready to do things to "earn our keep"--instead, let us dare to embrace the lavish and free grace of God and allow Him to empower us to do all of those things through a living and vibrant relationship with Him!

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Entrapped

Photo courtesy of elitedatingadvice.com

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
 Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." --Galatians 5:1

Earlier today, I woke up from a very interesting dream which involved a friend of mine from middle school (a big shout out to SJS, you know who you are!).  Now, this is a friend whom I have not seen in over a decade, and I was finally able to visit with her at length and meet her husband.  However, like all dreams, while this was my friend, we were not in a place either of us truly lived and her husband was not at all like her real husband (whom I am eager to meet one day!).  No, unfortunately, she had married a very harsh, yet wealthy man, who had seemed nice and loving prior to their marriage, but had turned into a very controlling and formidable man.

Now unlike many of my dreams, this one seemed quite lengthy and was unusually vivid.  I can recall walking through my friend's home, trying to find her so we could visit.  With each turn of the winding hallway, I would find more beautifully appointed bedrooms, antique furniture, sitting rooms, studies, artwork, and more, but all were empty and obviously unused.  Finally, I met up with my friend who was getting the outdoors decorated for a party (okay, and like most dreams, here is where it got weird--her "backyard" seemed more like a swimming pool, so for most of our visit we were chest high in pool water, tying balloons and such to poles!).  She looked exactly like herself and yet sad and afraid, too.  We spoke about her life and mostly about her limitations, being married to her husband.  For example, he had wiped her iPod clean and only allowed her to listen to six or seven "approved" songs.  She also could not leave her home and spend time with me, or any of her family or friends.

Eventually in my dream, I met up with her husband and had an interaction with him, apart from my friend.  I remember he was very gruff and rude to me (not sure what he specifically said) and I recall angrily pointing my finger into his face and stating things like "I am a woman!  I am an American!," insisting that he had no right to treat me in that way.

Well, when I woke up and transitioned back to reality, my friend was very much on my heart.  However, I slowly realized with a smile that she was married to a seemingly nice and godly man and has two adorable blonde sons.  I settled back into my pillows and was enveloped by the comfortable realization that it was just a dream.

But this dream has not proven to be easy to dismiss!  In fact, the more I think upon it, the more I realize that many of us, if not most of us live like this each day!  You see, those of us who do not know Jesus personally and have never been rescued from our sin live like this each day--trapped and hopeless in sin.  It is only when we truly repent and believe in Jesus by faith that we can be freed from the devil's tyranny and be saved.  However, I want to focus on those of us who ARE born-again Christ followers, and yet we live within these confines as well!  You see, so many of us, TOO many of us live trapped in this place of over-abundance and wealth, trading our freedom in Christ for entrapment by the world.  We so easily hand over the authority of our lives to the evil one, ignoring the reading of God's Word and neglecting prayer.  We do not know who we are as children of God and all the riches we have in Him, and we live trapped in old habits and sinful patterns of thought, word, and deed.  And so, while we could all stand up and, being armed with God's truth, confront our evil taskmaster, pointing in his face and telling him he has NO authority to steal our joy, limit our freedoms, and minimize the riches we have in Christ...so often we choose not to.  Perhaps it is ignorance or laziness and the like, but I would submit to you that too often it is indwelling sin in our hearts.  Too many of us chose not to forsake the wealth, the comfort, or the material distractions of this world to confront our tyrant and remind him that he has NO authority over our lives!  And sadly, by not doing this, we trade our freedom, our joy, our liberties, and our very lives just to have the "wealthy," albeit lonely, lifestyle.

I'll close with this pointed quote from Paul David Tripp about this issue of identity and entrapment.

"Many Christians do not have a gospel perspective on who they are.  This lack of gospel identity shows up in two ways. First, many Christians underestimate the presence and power of indwelling sin. They don’t see how easily entrapped they are in this world full of snares (see Gal. 6:1). They don’t grasp the comprehensive nature of the war that is always raging within the heart of every believer (see Rom 7). They’re not aware of how prone they are to run after God replacements. They fail to see that their greatest problem exists within them, not outside them. Many believers also fail to see the other side of their gospel identity: their identity in Christ. Christ not only gives me forgiveness and a new future, but a whole new identity as well! I am now a child of God, with all the rights and privileges that this title bestows.  This is important because each of us lives out of some sense of identity, and our gospel identity amnesia will always lead to some form of identity replacement. That is, if who I am in Christ does not shape the way I think about myself and the things I face, then I will live out some other identity." 
(quoted from How People Change)

Friends, let this not describe us!  Let us get on our knees and ask the Lord to reveal to us the ways in which we are not understanding, believing or trusting what He says about our identity as a child of God today!  Let us pray for boldness to confront the enemy, point a finger in his face, and call him out for his insidious lies.  Unlike my friend in my dream, may we, by God's grace, walk from entrapment into freedom--the true and joyous freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus!

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Spider-Man Christianity

Photo courtesy of moviepilot.com

In a home with boys, you have to be up on all your superheroes.  This fund of knowledge was previously nonexistent for me, having been raised with a sister.

Please allow me to provide you with a quick crash course to save all of you boy moms some time and effort:

• Superman: Also known as Clark Kent, he is an alien from another planet, Krypton, who was sent to earth as his home planet was being destroyed.  He has superhuman powers such as strength, flying, blowing wind, etc.
• Batman: Also known as Bruce Wayne, he is a rich business man who was orphaned as a child and just has cool toys, cars, gadgets--he has NO intrinsic superhuman powers.
• Ironman: Also known as Tony Stark, he is also a rich and very eligible bachelor who needed a heart transplant, and now has a glowing reactor in his chest to keep him alive, around which he built an iron flying suit.  He is yet another man with cool toys.
• Spider-man:  Also known as Peter Parker, he is a teenage kid who was bit by a radioactive spider and now has spider-like superhuman abilities like strength, spider "sense," and spinning webs.

My favorite?  Spider-man, hands down (although Ironman is arguably the cutest!).  I just love his boy charm and all his teen angst.

But my real love for Spider-man has to do with a very important spiritual lesson he has to teach us all.  Let me explain.

You see, as mentioned above, Spider-man was bitten by a radioactive spider and now has intrinsic spider-like abilities that he can use at whim.  One bite.  Total transformation.

So, too, as Christians, we walk from dark to light at the time of our salvation, which happened at a particular moment in time (or perhaps a season in life such that we cannot quite recall a specific day).  But it, too, is a total transformation (2 Corin 5:17).

However, that is where the similarity ends.  Unfortunately, so many of us Christ followers do not realize this--we assume that as Christians, with the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are "good to go" and we can then manage our spiritual journeys ourselves.  We learn we ought to read our Bibles and go to church and then many of us simply coast, trying to do it all in our own strength.  

I call this idea "Spider-Man Christianity."  We get "bitten" once, and we go on to do great things for God on our own strength.

But not so, according to the Scriptures!  While our salvation (being declared righteous, i.e. justification) is a once-and-for-all event that is secure in Christ, our sanctification (process of being made more holy) is an ongoing process that requires our active participation (Romans 8:13) and a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18).  This doesn't mean that we get more and more of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but it is more like we give him more and more rule and power and authority over our hearts as we confess our sin and turn to His power and strength in our day-to-day lives.  Often, this participation looks pretty passive, actually, as we submit to Christ's authority in our lives and fall upon His grace day by day.  But none-the-less, it is a daily practice, as we "abide" in the vine, realizing that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

So let's not forget today, dear one, that our walk of faith is just that--a day-to-day, process of allowing the Holy Spirit to rule and direct our hearts and lives--and not just a one-time "bite" that makes us "good to go" for here after! 

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