“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”
2 Cor 4:10
2 Cor 4:10
Oswald Chambers, in “My Utmost For His Highest”, poses a very poignant question today: “Do I manifest the essential sweetness of the Son of God, or the essential irritation of ‘myself’ apart from Him?”
In other words, when something “disagreeable” enters my life and causes unrest, turmoil, or a range of emotions, do I allow the circumstances to overrule the disposition that God is attempting to instill in me? Do I debate with God and resist, reacting in a way that does not reflect the manifestation of the Son of God within me? Or, do I glorify Him by cheerfully entering into the “disagreeable”, that which God has engineered to make me more fit for His service?
There are times when God has asked me to perform a certain task that brings on a lack of enthusiasm, perhaps resentment, and often dread or fear. I resist and, thereby, unknowingly grieve the Spirit of God. I forget that it is not my honor and reputation that is at stake, but His. And by balking or debating, I am bringing dishonor to the Holy Spirit Whose task it is to draw sons and daughters to glory through Christians like me.
I must keep myself fit for service, even if it means the task God has placed upon me is “disagreeable” and difficult. By enthusiastically allowing the manifestation of the Son of God in and through myself, by inviting Him to be “living and active” in me and letting His light shine from me, I am more able to approach the task and help the Lord bring it to its glorious conclusion.
In other words, when something “disagreeable” enters my life and causes unrest, turmoil, or a range of emotions, do I allow the circumstances to overrule the disposition that God is attempting to instill in me? Do I debate with God and resist, reacting in a way that does not reflect the manifestation of the Son of God within me? Or, do I glorify Him by cheerfully entering into the “disagreeable”, that which God has engineered to make me more fit for His service?
There are times when God has asked me to perform a certain task that brings on a lack of enthusiasm, perhaps resentment, and often dread or fear. I resist and, thereby, unknowingly grieve the Spirit of God. I forget that it is not my honor and reputation that is at stake, but His. And by balking or debating, I am bringing dishonor to the Holy Spirit Whose task it is to draw sons and daughters to glory through Christians like me.
I must keep myself fit for service, even if it means the task God has placed upon me is “disagreeable” and difficult. By enthusiastically allowing the manifestation of the Son of God in and through myself, by inviting Him to be “living and active” in me and letting His light shine from me, I am more able to approach the task and help the Lord bring it to its glorious conclusion.
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