What are we to do when we blow it? I spent hours alone in the night pondering how I seem to miss the mark with my extended family. Every effort to witness the unconditional love of Christ and godly living seems washed out to sea in a single tense exchange. The devil gets a foothold and like a riptide no matter how hard I tread, I am stuck in deep water. I cried out to Jesus for help for fear I was sinking!
The reality is the harder I fight the undertow in my own strength, the weaker I become. I am not equipped with what it takes to fight generational sin. Nor am I expected to by God. His desire is for me to let go and allow His strength to guide me safely back to shore. Yet at times I am too busy trying to save myself and thereby endanger my skin and sometimes others.
Releasing our grasp on the thorns in our side and trusting the Lord to care for our wounds is necessary for peace. When we try to take care of these irritants or daggers ourselves we can do so much harm: even when our intentions are good. However, if we’re honest with ourselves, more often than not, our intentions are bent on putting one in their place or retaliation. It takes a giant at times to extend the hand of grace, love and mercy when afraid of drowning in circumstances. If only we would remember we have a Giant God standing on the crest of the wave ready to help us the moment we cry out…”Lord save me!” like Peter. The key to getting free is always the right angle…
In the night I frantically flailed my arms and kicked my feet, batting at all the reason why I was justified. The Lord patiently waited at my side until I was done splashing in the water. Exhausted and finally humbled, I quit kicking. Like a wave carrying me back to the sand, God lifted me up and guided me from my misery. There on the sand He was finally able to speak a word to my newly opened ears. A gentle rebuke and then an encouraging promise, that what I do for others I do for Jesus. One simple reminder that it is all about Him and my rebellious spirit is drawn back in line. Suddenly the taste of salt is strong upon my tongue and compassion reinvigorates me. I can forgive…I will forgive because of Jesus.
When dealing with others who pain or frustrate us, we forget sometimes that our feelings are not most important. God does not require of his children obedience when we feel like it. Oswald Chambers reminds us that the disciples of Christ had to wait for the anointing of the Holy Spirit before they journeyed forth on the Lord's behalf. In the same way, Christians should tarry just enough in trials and temptations for the welling up of the Spirit. Only when acting under the guidance of the Spirit of God are we safe in such encounters. Jesus walks on a path of grace, mercy and forgiveness always. Anytime we allow something contrary to govern our walk…we fall out of step with Christ. The guidance of our Shepherd’s staff is not always welcomed, but in the end certainly not resented. If we are not on our guard indignation can weigh us down like an anchor.
So I have been humbled. And though the night was long, the freedom I feel this morning is rich. There was work to be done to finish reconciliation which was started yesterday. Yet, in the strength of the Lord, love brings us back from deep waters of strife and difference. Safe on the beach we gain back our perspective, and seek to serve the Lord once more. Love overcomes the flesh and peace is restored.
I am never surprised God’s principles work. Still, like a misty breeze which chills on a hot day the Spirit's work refreshes. Looking back to the water once struggled in, I ponder what made the difference between sinking and swimming. The answer came like Christ's quick hand…hearts governed by the Spirit were purposed to be reconciled. Love in Christ empowered us to overcome issues which threatened to pollute our shore and drown relationship.
Hope is Jesus: the Savior who rescues from self, the devil and a sea of adversity. God be praised!!
No comments:
Post a Comment