Over this past week the Lord has began to challenge me in my obedience to Him throughout the ends and outs of the day. I read this earlier: "Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him... it is far easier to die than to lay down the life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling. We are not made for brilliant moments, but we have to walk in the light of them in ordinary ways.... Our Lord's first obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of men; the saving of men was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father..."- Oswald
One thing that I can say about serving in Jaco, is that ministry here is a lifestyle. We say that all the time around here and are further reminded each time someone stops by the house or when we run into someone in town. It can been so easy for me to try and live for only the 'brilliant' moments of ministry here. The Lord gently and faithfully reminded me yesterday morning how much I am missing out on His kingdom when I do this. So much of His love for me is showed throughout the most unexpected, random, and small things of each day.
Grant it, the Lord does do big and mighty things here and all around the world- and is continuing! His Spirit is moving within His people AND praise God for that! Those are things to praise Him for, but I am learning how much praise He deserves in all aspects of life, not just those 'big moments'. I just feel like so much of my life and love for Jesus is not manifested during those times. I find myself challenged more in the small, normal, mundane things that in the world's eyes dont seem to matter much. I understand so clearly how 'dying' is so much easier. It is a one time event. Once you're heart stops beating, your donezzo. However, to lay yourself down humbly for the Lord's service again and again and again, requires much. It requires just as much grace and mercy as in the so called big things, however in a more humble display.
So where is my call to obedience? Im praying and fighting for it to be in every single breath and action I take. His Spirit has to be alive and active in my life. Even if that means no one seeing the things I do or don't do. The Lord sees those things. I want a love so deep that anything asked of me produces a Spirit of obedience, no matter how small. If I can't be obedient to the small things anyway, how could I ever be obedient to the 'big things'? And what can I say to the God of the Universe who sacrificed His life for me- Only to call me a friend? May my first obedience always be to Christ. No matter how tempting the world, my flesh, and satan are.
May He always be our first love....
"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
No comments:
Post a Comment