Ponderings

My mind [and life] is working through a dilemma… And while it isn’t something often discussed, I’m sure other Christians deal with the same problem.

I’m talking about the consistent disconnect between what my heart and mind desires as a Christian and what I actually do as I go about life.

In a sense, it is the “Romans 7” scenario where “what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” (Romans 7:15b)  Except in a more specific situation.  I keep thinking about about how rarely things—GOOD things—spill over from my heart and mind into my interaction with people in my every day life.

I want to encourage other people in their Christian walk.  I want to discuss how God has been working in my life.  I want to share my faith with my unbelieving coworkers.  I want to be a student of the Word. 

It just doesn’t really seem to ever happen.  It seems oh, so hard to turn that want to into actions. You know the feeling?  This is the struggle.  Maybe it is also yours.

How do I learn to turn trivial conversations with other believers into times of spiritual encouragement and edification?  How do I take advantage of the opportunity to witness when someone makes a comment that seems to indicate a belief in something other than the Truth of God’s Word?  How do I make the study of God’s Word something that impacts me on a personal level?  How do I go about life with such an intentionality that the Christian walk is seen as something real and not merely a spiritual front?

And as I write this, I feel like there’s a disconnect even now between writing about this and talking about it with someone because it is so much easier to write about than to actually talk about it and do it. 

WHY?!?

I’ve  been thinking about it: this struggle serves to keep me dependent on the Lord to accomplish His work in me.  If I had the spiritual life all figured out, why would I need Him?  If the transforming and sanctifying power of the Gospel was simply a once-for-all event, what about the rest of my life? Where would “being conformed to His image” fit into the picture?

It all points back to Christ, His Work, and God’s glory.

And so I take comfort—not in glorying in my failures—but in the confident hope of His promise to complete the good work that He has begun in me. (Philippians 1:6) My part is to walk with Him day-by-day, yield my body as instruments of righteousness, and obey Him, being a doer and not just a hearer of the Word.

Hallelujah!

Resurrection Sunday.  Such an incredible day to celebrate.  I would like to be able to sit down and write an eloquent post on it, but I can't.  However, that doesn't mean that the significance of this event is consequently lost.  Please no!  Whether or not I continue to grow in my understanding of the fundamental necessity of the resurrection to my Christian faith, the truth remains: without the resurrection, there would be no salvation, there would be no hope, there would be no sanctification.  

Jesus is alive!  How does that affect my present circumstances?  How does that change my perspective of the future?  How does that impact my relationship with Him?   My mind cannot seem to sort out specific and detailed answers right now for these questions, but I rest in the certainty that Christ has conquered death and that He has "begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

I am humbled that Christ loved me enough to die on the cross for my sins. I rejoice and praise Him that He had to rise from the dead and leave that tomb empty so that one day, we too may "also be in the likeness of his resurrection. (Romans 6:5)

Christ is risen! 

He is risen indeed! 

P.s. If you have not already done so recently, go read 1 Corinthians 15 for a solid case presented on why Christ had to rise again and why His resurrection is fundamental to our faith!  

Close to an end...

The other night I was playing piano and came across the song But Continue Thou. The opening words of the song are "These days are coming close to an end..." and it is based on 2 Timothy 3:14 where Paul is exhorting exhorting Timothy to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."

As I played the song and saw snatches of the lyrics, I was struck with how true those words are concerning these very days in my life right now: this semester is quickly coming to an end, and in just a few days, I will be entering "the real world" for the summer. This entire year, but especially this semester, has been incredible: God has taught me so much about Himself, my relationship with Him, and how to live the Christian life. When one's life revolves around Bible classes and pretty much every day is centered around developing one's relationship with the Lord, it is easy to be on a "spiritual high" here at school.

But...what about once school is over for the semester and I no longer have classes in which I am being forced to study the Word? What about when I no longer have to read commentaries such as Romans by Newell and I no longer have to attend chapel every day at 9:35 am? What about when I am away from friends who love the Lord, who have a passion to serve Him and live for Him, and who consequently encourage me in my own spiritual walk? Then what? Will the spiritual truths that I have learned in class and the things that I have learned through daily life in what some may call "a spiritual bubble" also affect my life when I'm away from it such an environment? Through God's grace and the empowering of the Spirit, yes!