And somewhere along the way, I became enamored with the method instead
of the mission.
I suspect you can relate.
We are called to be Christ. But we neglect this mission when we become
fixated on the current method for exhibiting Christ. Let me explain.
That which we strain to preserve--that circumstance, relationship,
opportunity, status, object, moment, season, or chapter--was provided by and
for the Lord. These are resources--and often blessings--provided as
platforms for Christ. They are not ours. Yet I became so
attached to the current platform for God's purpose, that I became inflexible in
response to God's purpose. And sometimes God's
purpose means changing the platform.
When we become married to the current conduit for God's glory, we risk missing God's glory.
If this seems redundant, it is. But I find myself in this place far
too often.
I pray the Lord prompts us to release the method and to take
hold of the mission--to know and be Christ. I pray we have the
courage to bend with God's glory--even if that means changing circumstances. I
pray the Lord works in us what is pleasing to Him.
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all of its people belong to him." Psalm 24:1 (NLT).
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NIV).
"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV).
I've failed to update you on a very significant event in my life.
I said goodbye to the ox that carried me through law school and my first years of marriage: