The closer I get to Jesus, the more I recognize my tendency toward the temporal...The pressures of the immediate tempt me to draw away to busyness. The needs of others lure me to sacrifice my devotion to God with nobility and self-sacrifice; I tend to think I need to solve everyone's problems. Self-sufficiency and self-reliance echo Keep BUSY! Time's short!...If you don't do it...it won't get done! All the while, Jesus whispers, My grace is sufficient for you. Come away. Abide in me. Rest!
1 Corinthians 1:27-31 reminds us that "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (NIV)
With so much to do, I know I must slip away to abide in Jesus...to allow Him to fill me...to listen for His words of direction and wisdom.
A dear friend of mine once shared that being B.U.S.Y means Being Under Satan's Yolk.
Today, let's draw away. Let's hush our to do list and any association with self-reliance or self-sufficiency and simply abide in Him. In John 15:4-5 Jesus says to "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (NIV)
In your marriage...remain in HIM.
In your work place...remain in HIM.
In your parenting...remain in HIM.
In your ambitions...dreams...ministries...vision...hopes...aspirations...needs...REMAIN IN HIM!
He alone is our hope. He alone is able!
My grace is sufficient for you. Come away. Abide in me. Rest! Since losing my husband to cancer last January. I had been tirelessly searching to find my place, staying busy, trying to keep myself from thinking to much...and these are the words that I hear God repeatedly saying to me. I am learning. Thank you Lord!
ReplyDeleteAlways a blessing and so theologically sound. Thank you for your faithfulness to serve and share the truth!!
ReplyDeleteTammy, the only place we can safely reside is in His presence. He alone is our help and confidence. Thank you for your transparency. I can only imagine the battles you've faced. Your grief. And the stretching of your faith. May God show up abundantly, and remind you of HIS INCREDIBLE LOVE for you. May you feel His strength. May HE restore your hope! Thank you for faithfully serving. Praying You ENTER HIS REST today! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous, thanks for your words of encouragement!