Sometimes, in moments of struggle and personal turmoil, in my weakness I allow myself to slip into a feeling of isolation. I feel alone, helpless, lost spiritually. I realize that I am so, so far from perfect. I know my sins and count them and I resent the world around me. Then, I feel guilt for that resentment and my isolation spirals. The amount of time I allow these feelings to persist varies, but on the whole I realize my wrong quicker and quicker each time, and return swiftly to what I know will tell me the truth; I remember to Seek Him First.
Talking about perfection a few weeks ago, the study leader finished his exploration of the perfect with a simple thought: the perfect is perfecting towards perfection.
In my lack of understanding I was underwhelmed, he followed up his original sentence with an explanation: the perfect bible is perfecting us toward perfection, God and Son.
The bible and its lessons and words put me in my place every time, sometimes simply at the thought. I see its red cover and gold writing and know exactly what I am going to find, and the hopelessness around me shrinks. Who am I to think the world is so hard? To think I am so alone? I am so, so very far from alone. I am so far from helpless. I have asked Christ to accept me, forgive me, for salvation. And He has answered Yes. I do not have to earn Him by obtaining perfection, for in this I will never succeed. Jesus asks for nothing but to glorify Him, to follow His example, and Seek the Kingdom in all we do. Goodness, humility, benevolence, patience, belief, hope.
I can breathe again.
Christ, I can do that for you. I can Seek Your Kingdom. I can give my all in complete good conscience to following your lead.
I feel ashamed for letting my problems overcome me, as if somehow my sins couldn't be forgiven, somehow my load was too great to bear. Were those words in my head? No. But they were the subconscious thoughts that fueled my feeling of isolation; I had rewrapped the greatest gift of all and set it back under the tree.
With this gentle and giant revelation I am renewed to take on the world around me again, renewed to strive to be the good Christian I want to be, renewed with strength, patience, clarity and knowledge that Good always prevails. My problems still exist, life still goes on, but Love replaces fear.
Our Father gave us all the very first and most glorious Christmas gift, and it is given for eternity; let us all remember to keep it unwrapped and in use at all times.
Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and peace on earth to all whom He favors.
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"The perfect bible is perfecting us toward perfection, God and Son"
ReplyDeleteHow is it that a bible assembled by man and written by man can come close to perfection? Those who wrote the bible weren't Jesus and, therefore, weren't perfect (assuming Jesus was).
Jesus wants us to only glorify him and live a good life, and in return we shall have nothing to fear. Garbage, tell that to the Christian Vietnam Vet who's fingernails were popped out by bamboo shoots and has whose face was burned off while in a 5-year POW camp. Now, 40 years after the fact, he suffers from PTSD and has a brain tumor the size of a kiwi. Yet he still attends church regularly, his nurse takes him (as if his assisted living gave him a choice in attendance). Is this Jesus's response to those who worship him? Is this, in any way, "Perfecting us towards Perfection?"
If simply give myself up to Jesus I will be saved, or maybe he will just test my faith with cancer.
I don't argue that anything created by man is by nature imperfect. But the Word of God IS perfect.
ReplyDeleteThere are many levels of fear; don't confuse the fear in this world, of pain, of money, of others, of death, with the fear I'm talking about. Put your life in God's hands, and you will have no fear of what awaits you for all Eternity. It won't be torture; it will be something so glorious, magnificent and beautiful, it's impossible for your mind to fathom a square inch of it.
I like you answer!
ReplyDeleteI think that the varying degrees that god tests individuals is unfair. I don't understand this concept. Some people experience a great deal of suffering from the beginning of their life others may have a privileged existence. For this reason, it is understandable that people turn away from god while others embrace god.
Have a good one