I started a summer project.
Oh yes, not like bringing home a puppy wasn't enough craziness for the summer- I've gone and added something else.
I set a goal for myself- read through my bible in 90 days.
At first I hummed and hawed about doing it. Would I really retain anything to make it worthwhile? Shouldn't I do a slow methodical study to get as much as possible out of it? Blah, blah, blah...
Then I figured, anything that gets me at least reading my bible on a regular basis (whatever the outcome) would be a GOOD thing. So I started out with great enthusiasm and even got a day ahead of myself.
Now, I'm behind (surprise, surprise).
REALLY behind.
Out of town visitors and a week of camping will do that, but I'm working on getting caught up again.
Until then, I want to share a little nugget that I got from Ex. 36:2. "Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work." (NIV)
The concept that God hit me with as I read this verse was amazing.
God had gifted many people to do the work: however, NOT every one of those people came to help do their part in building the Tabernacle.
Some translations use the phrase 'who was willing' others use 'whose heart was stirred', etc. Yet the idea is the same- God gifted and some chose to ignore that and do their own thing.
I don't know, but it seems like this is still a problem today. In my life, in my kids' lives, in the church and in society (to name but a few areas).
It also reminds me of something else that I've been pondering lately- what does it truly mean to be saved (and are these two thoughts intricately related)?
Is salvation the 'fire-insurance' prayer of your youth, without little to no regard for how the rest of your life is lived?
Or, is it a continual working out of things and we'll only know for sure at the end when we stand before our God?
I'm wondering if somehow, in North America, we've kind of got it wrong.
We keep telling people to 'make a decision' or 'commit' their lives to Christ- which is totally dependent on us. WE make the move and WE decide what and how much effort WE put into it. It's all about us.
What if, and I believe this is scriptural, it's not so much us 'committing' our lives as it is 'surrendering' our lives?
So what's the difference?
To 'commit' is an engagement or involvement in something (via dictionary.com).
It puts the responsibility for success squarely on ME. I have to keep the faith. I have to keep this rule or that. I have to read my bible, pray everyday, go to church every Sunday, etc. in order to show my commitment.
If I don't DO, then I'm not really committed.
However, if I DO do- then I must be super spiritual, right?
WRONG!
Commitment can only require outward action- your heart can be far, far away from that which you've committed yourself to (which, speaking from experience, will leave you REALLY frustrated).
To 'surrender' means to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield (again via dictionary.com). Some other definitions are 'to yield (something) to the possession or power of another' or 'to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another'.
This definition requires that I give up ALL my choices for the foreseeable future. I am no longer in control of anything.
I guess this could be done only by outward action: however, I highly doubt that you would be able to keep that ruse up for very long (unlike those who 'commit' to something).
In Isaiah 29:13, God talks about how His people are merely going through the motions of obeying Him- but their hearts, a true love for Him, is no where to be found.
This is the essence of what I'm wrestling with right now- God has gifted all of us with spiritual gifts for the building of His kingdom. He's also blessed us with finances to do His work.
So why are there still so many who lack?
Why are things not happening, both inside and out of the church?
Why, why, why?
I think it's because we've committed to Christianity those things that we WANT to give but haven't SURRENDERED that which GOD WANTS us to fully give Him. He wants a living sacrifice- our whole life (not just our outward actions). (Rom. 12:1-2)
Unfortunately, every time I think about jumping in wholeheartedly, it's scares me.
What will I have to give up that I REALLY, REALLY like?
How boring will my life be without my favourite things?
You know the excuses- because they're running through your head right now too!
Maybe I need to dream about what I will GET if I DO surrender instead of worrying about what I'll loose.
The joy of seeing others' needs met, knowing that we've BOTH encountered God.
Having my faith tested, stretched and ultimately grown, because I've dared to believe that the impossible is actually possible when it's a God-thing.
Or the biggest reason of all- being able to have a PERSONAL relationship with the Creator of the Universe.
That alone should be enough- and I'm hoping to pull up my boot-straps and dive in sooner rather than later.
How about you? Ready to join me?
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
Oh yes, not like bringing home a puppy wasn't enough craziness for the summer- I've gone and added something else.
I set a goal for myself- read through my bible in 90 days.
At first I hummed and hawed about doing it. Would I really retain anything to make it worthwhile? Shouldn't I do a slow methodical study to get as much as possible out of it? Blah, blah, blah...
Then I figured, anything that gets me at least reading my bible on a regular basis (whatever the outcome) would be a GOOD thing. So I started out with great enthusiasm and even got a day ahead of myself.
Now, I'm behind (surprise, surprise).
REALLY behind.
Out of town visitors and a week of camping will do that, but I'm working on getting caught up again.
Until then, I want to share a little nugget that I got from Ex. 36:2. "Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work." (NIV)
The concept that God hit me with as I read this verse was amazing.
God had gifted many people to do the work: however, NOT every one of those people came to help do their part in building the Tabernacle.
Some translations use the phrase 'who was willing' others use 'whose heart was stirred', etc. Yet the idea is the same- God gifted and some chose to ignore that and do their own thing.
I don't know, but it seems like this is still a problem today. In my life, in my kids' lives, in the church and in society (to name but a few areas).
It also reminds me of something else that I've been pondering lately- what does it truly mean to be saved (and are these two thoughts intricately related)?
Is salvation the 'fire-insurance' prayer of your youth, without little to no regard for how the rest of your life is lived?
Or, is it a continual working out of things and we'll only know for sure at the end when we stand before our God?
I'm wondering if somehow, in North America, we've kind of got it wrong.
We keep telling people to 'make a decision' or 'commit' their lives to Christ- which is totally dependent on us. WE make the move and WE decide what and how much effort WE put into it. It's all about us.
What if, and I believe this is scriptural, it's not so much us 'committing' our lives as it is 'surrendering' our lives?
So what's the difference?
To 'commit' is an engagement or involvement in something (via dictionary.com).
It puts the responsibility for success squarely on ME. I have to keep the faith. I have to keep this rule or that. I have to read my bible, pray everyday, go to church every Sunday, etc. in order to show my commitment.
If I don't DO, then I'm not really committed.
However, if I DO do- then I must be super spiritual, right?
WRONG!
Commitment can only require outward action- your heart can be far, far away from that which you've committed yourself to (which, speaking from experience, will leave you REALLY frustrated).
To 'surrender' means to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield (again via dictionary.com). Some other definitions are 'to yield (something) to the possession or power of another' or 'to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another'.
This definition requires that I give up ALL my choices for the foreseeable future. I am no longer in control of anything.
I guess this could be done only by outward action: however, I highly doubt that you would be able to keep that ruse up for very long (unlike those who 'commit' to something).
In Isaiah 29:13, God talks about how His people are merely going through the motions of obeying Him- but their hearts, a true love for Him, is no where to be found.
This is the essence of what I'm wrestling with right now- God has gifted all of us with spiritual gifts for the building of His kingdom. He's also blessed us with finances to do His work.
So why are there still so many who lack?
Why are things not happening, both inside and out of the church?
Why, why, why?
I think it's because we've committed to Christianity those things that we WANT to give but haven't SURRENDERED that which GOD WANTS us to fully give Him. He wants a living sacrifice- our whole life (not just our outward actions). (Rom. 12:1-2)
Unfortunately, every time I think about jumping in wholeheartedly, it's scares me.
What will I have to give up that I REALLY, REALLY like?
How boring will my life be without my favourite things?
You know the excuses- because they're running through your head right now too!
Maybe I need to dream about what I will GET if I DO surrender instead of worrying about what I'll loose.
The joy of seeing others' needs met, knowing that we've BOTH encountered God.
Having my faith tested, stretched and ultimately grown, because I've dared to believe that the impossible is actually possible when it's a God-thing.
Or the biggest reason of all- being able to have a PERSONAL relationship with the Creator of the Universe.
That alone should be enough- and I'm hoping to pull up my boot-straps and dive in sooner rather than later.
How about you? Ready to join me?
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
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