When we no longer seek God for His blessings, we have time to seek God for Himself. Oswald Chambers The Moral Foundations of Life 728 L
There are times when I look out upon the landscape of Christian women today and I am utterly stunned by so many who are doing this dance of life and ministry so well. There are so many beautiful, brave, godly young women on the front lines right now that I find my heart so full of hope. I began to wonder if I can move into less of a climb and more of a slide position. Recently, while pondering I heard the Holy Spirt correct me. Their coming up does not mean you step back. You must continue to forge ahead. I never meant them to push you aside; let them push you up.
My trajectory of “up” may look different than it has, but I never hear God say look down, or drop your chin. He says lift it. When His daughters gather in unity, I see His glory.
So lovely one. I will share with you readers my passion. Simply you! I pray I will always labor that Christ the anointed One would be formed in you. I long to see you well equipped and positioned in Him to find what was originally entrusted to you. I long to help you on your dearest quest, to know Him. As I wrote this book, I realized I had tackled far too big of a subject, for we live in a day that is rife with rivals vying for our affection. The Apostle Paul lived in a different day, and yet the church he loved faced similar struggles.
“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (II Cor. 11:2-4)
Or as the Message translates this passage:
“The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much – this is the passion of God burning inside me! I promised your hand in marriage to Christ, presented you as a pure virgin to her husband. And now I’m afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ. It seems that if someone shows up preaching quite another Jesus than we preached – different spirit, different message – you put up with quite nicely.”
Hear me as a mother – nay, a grandmother: you were not made for the compromise of comparison. The Creator wove His originality into your DNA. Only you can give the unique expression of his love and glory, and the fruits and rewards of how you do this will travel with you into eternity.
NEXT UP:
Eternal Crowns. Seriously now? Yes indeed! Scholars believe there are five specific crowns mentioned in scripture. Certainly a lost perspective for me! And, actually several of theses crowns begin while we’re servants in His Kingdom!!
Perhaps it’s because we’ve been culturally & spiritually raised up in a dysfunctional democracy that has stymied our understanding and appreciation for being servants, and the actual significance of the Cross & His Kingdom for us to live fulfilled, joyful, and productive lives as His Ambassadors…. I’m in need of a refresher course! It’ll take the week, but change your life! Your choice. Always is!