'Oh to be like him!'

While going through my 'Utmost for His Highest' (Oswald Chambers) devotions today, I found these portions jumped right off the page at me...

The institutional church's idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ's idea.  His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others... 

The real test of a saint is not one's willingness to preach the gospel, but one's willingness to do something like washing the disciples' feet - that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God...

Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ's idea of a New Testament saint, that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hand of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

After that last paragraph, I wrote beside it, 'Oh to be like him!'.  When I'd pondered my comment, I wondered which 'him' I actually meant!  Was the 'him' Paul, living as Christ-focused as he did?  Or was the 'him' Christ himself?  My question was quickly answered and my conclusion was made (and yes this was all a conversation that played out between me, myself and I...lol!), which was... that it was either and/or both.

As I read and continue to learn more about the lives of great followers of Jesus, there are two things that occur within me.  One is a great sense of encouragement, and the other is almost a sense of great defeat...how far away from that kind of a life I feel sometimes. 

As I look at my sinful life...and yes, sinful it is - I'm human...I'm reminded how self-focused it can be.  This is not how I want to live my life...I want to live a life like Paul's.  But I find that as each day goes by, the trials of day-to-day routine can so easily take over and before I know it, bam...my focus has come off of Christ and on to a number of varied other things.  Why is it so hard to keep my focus always on Him...all the time?!

But then we slide over to the side of  great encouragement!  It picks me back up when I stop and realize that, yes, although I live a sinful life (and to clarify...we ALL do...), as long as there is breathe in me, there is opportunity to shift my focus back to Him again, and continue walking towards the end goal.  Sigh of relief in being reminded of that...and knowing the enemy is upset he hasn't kept me occupied for long!!

Thank you Father that your mercies are new everyday!  Your grace, your love and your compassion are far beyond anything this world has to offer...may we hold tight to your promises that  are 'yes and amen'!

I'm not sure where you are with your faith walk at this time, but I pray this has been what you've needed to hear today...I know it was for me!

Until next time,
K

Can God be like chocolate?!

Nearly 3 months have past since writing on my blog...in a way it seems like forever, yet I have a hard time grasping just how much time has actually gone by!  Since my last post, we've celebrated another Christmas; watched another year leave and have entered into a new one; I've welcomed a precious new niece as an addition to our family; and I've had to let go of yet another friendship, while also welcoming a new one; oh ya, and the world was supposed to end - again!  Seriously people!!

I've  many times thought about coming here and writing my thoughts down over the course of the past 3 months, but for one reason or another I've been kept from it.  Perhaps I needed the solitude; or those thoughts were not to be shared; or quite likely it's because I've been in a sea of thoughts, feelings, and emotions that I wouldn't have known how to express myself best.  In any case, I can look at it as a huge failure to keeping a commitment, or just decide to pick up where I left off...  I think I'll choose the latter!

This afternoon I was wanting something chocolate.  I decided that perhaps some hot chocolate would take care of my sweet tooth as well as warm me up a bit while I worked on some bookwork.  I was wrong.  It didn't do anything for my sweet tooth.  What a disappointment.  I've been trying to think of something else that I could get in to...but I'm afraid 'real' chocolate is going to be the only thing that will truly satisfy my craving.

As I was thinking about this situation I found myself in, I realized the parallel.  Go with me for a minute here...can God be like chocolate?!  Not saying that chocolate is God, but God can be like chocolate - for me anyway!  You see, for anyone who knows me well, I'm sure you'll agree that I love chocolate.  And I'd say that I tend to have some form of it each day.  It satisfies my craving.  So, if God is like chocolate...I need Him everyday to satisfy my craving...my hunger for Him.  Right?!

So I say...if you eat chocolate and spend time with Him...you'll be truly satisfied!!
What could be better than God and chocolate?!! 
Lol, I'm just sayin'... ;)

Until next time,
K