God has a successful plan for every person ever born (Ephesians
2:10). The problem occurs when we follow our own goals and pursue our own
desires, or those planned for us by other well-meaning people in our life (Isaiah
53:6). We run further and harder through the rat race of life, getting lost
somewhere along the course, unable to find our way. Then, Jesus stands next
to us, offers us His nail-scarred hand and leads us in the path of
righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).
This is the exact spot where our life turns around for the
better. Jesus comes into our life and removes our negative emotions and our
fears and insecurities a little at a time. He does not perfect us all at once,
but like the layers of the onion, He peels them back one section at a time. As
He gets closer to our core, the layers of our flesh and carnality disappear
until all that is left is Christ in us, who gives us the hope of eternity in
His glory (Colossians 2:27).
God rescues us from a life of degradation and sin and lifts
us up upon the Rock of Christ (Psalm 18:2). Once we admit we need a Savior,
and let go of all of our plans for our own life, God makes a success of us, no
matter what our calling is. As long as we obey the direction of His Spirit
moment by moment throughout the day, He delivers us from our past and gives us
a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). However, nothing less than
complete surrender will do.
As long as we interject our own plans, God cannot help us.
He allows us to flounder around on our own, until we yell, “I quit!” Once we
lay down our life and die to the desires of our flesh, then God’s Spirit can
labor in us on our behalf. He miraculously works out everything for our good (Romans
8:28), until we wonder why it took us so long to submit to His will. Our
sacrifice and the fear of surrender seem inconsequential now, compared to the
glory that He sets before us (1 Peter 1:8).
His love pours over us like a waterfall, once we sit still
in His presence and worship His name. We can depend on Him for all of our needs
(Matthew
6:33). As we joyfully consent to His loving kindness, God frees us from the
weight of our past and the fear of the future. He walks within us through every
trial life brings our way. We will never be worthy of His love (Galatians
3:1-3), but He loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8). As our
Heavenly Daddy, He will never allow His righteous to be shaken (Isaiah
54:10).
Prayer:
Father God, You love us with the same love You gave Your
only begotten Son, Jesus (John 15:9-10). In our union with You, through
Christ (Colossians 3:3), we have no need to fear the unexpected upsets life
brings our way. We deeply abide in Your love for eternity. Jesus died to make
us one with You. You give us Your Spirit to reside within us. You make us a
temple for Your Spirit. He is our comforter and guide through life. He
transforms us until we express Your divine nature to the world around us. You
teach us to live as good stewards of Your provision and to meet needs in Your
name with those around us.
Thought for the Day:
Jesus gave us His example of how to abide in the
Father’s love. – John 17:22
