I used to think that once God had given me my divine assignment, wonderful things would begin to happen right away. I didn't realize the receiving of the annointing for the assignment was just the beginning of the training. The flesh has to be cut away. Our character must be molded and corrected. We must learn to love others more than our own desires. And we must be found worthy and able to face the appointed task.
1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us that we must run the race and conduct ourselves in all things as one seeking to win that race. Paul disciplined himself so he could be an example to others of what he was preaching. He understood what I am just now beginning to understand. He knew he could not develop his full potential without bringing his body, mind, thoughts, and emotions under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
I think the hardest thing for me personally is to learn to discipline my thoughts, my emotions, and my mouth. However, unless we discipline the things we allow into our thoughts through our eyes, ears, and mind, unless we control what we allow into our heart, and unless we control what comes out of our mouths we will never achieve the purposes of God. I am reminded of Proverbs 15:22 where it tells us that unless we heed the counsel of others our purposes will be frustrated. I think God is telling me that my beloved and I must heed each other's counsel showing compassion for each other's need and seek the counsel of our mentor's; lest the plans God has for our lives, our very destiny will become frustrated.
1 Corinthians goes onto say in verse 12 that all of us who think we stand, who feel sure we have a steadfast mind and is standing firm, take heed lest we fall into sin. We are to realize that no temptation and no trial is uncommon and beyond our resistance. We are all capable of all sin. BUT, God is faithful to His word and to His compassionate nature and He can be trusted not to let us be tempted and tried beyond our ability to resist because it is His power that keeps us from falling.
I find comfort in knowing that while we are going through this time of "training" for our assignment God will keep us from falling. I remember when I first started to run an actual race. It was very difficult. I wanted to give up. I told myself that no one would blame me if I walked the race or if I jumped on the little golf cart and rode off the course. However, my friends next to me kept encouraging me to press on. My little son in the stroller kept looking up at me to see if I would complete that which I had started. It is the same with this spiritual race we have started. It seems too hard and we are tempted to find the nearest exit off the course. However, when I finished the Capital 10,000 my friends and I rejoiced. We were met with people cheering and handing us cookies and juice. There was a party at the finish line. My son was proud of me for finishing what I said I would do. My example and witness were strong that day. It is the same with this spiritual journey. We take many followers with us towards that finish line. There will be great rejoicing and a party at the end of the line and many who will follow us towards that day. They will rejoice in our success or be part of our failure. I would much rather see the content faces of friends and family that followed me towards heaven than the discontentment, sorrow, and pain of those I led astray because I wasn't disciplined enough to be a woman of my word.
Father, show me the appropriate ways for me to meet my beloved's needs. Show me how to be the wife, mother, and daughter of the King for which I was created. Complete in me those things you spoke over my life.
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