Wednesday, May 4, 2011

My dear God,

"Where is Christ in your life?" My colleague asked me the question we have been asking every Wednesday for nearly 25 years. Indeed where is Christ?

During the next hour I spoke of faith, how sweet it has become, particularly in the last two decades. I poured out just some of the ways you have touched my life, bringing me great challenges, discipline, correction, and opportunity. Tears welled in my eyes as my colleague read Ecclesiastes 3. There is a time and season for all things. That I know so well as I recounted the seasons of birth and death, hope and despair, love and hatred, the scattering of stones and the gathering of them together. My life of faith by your hand has been a season of change and transformation.

As I consider your mighty power coupled with your gentle love and grace, I know how those things working together make a difference in a human life. I know you do not press us to the wall to do something; however, I know our circumstances can bring us to a place where we have to bend not only to save ourselves but to see the light, to surrender, and to make dramatic decisions that can change the world around us.

I am certain that left to my own devices, I will walk my own way, do my own will, conquer my own "enemies", and at the end celebrate my own victories. But what am I left with? A list of my own accomplishments? And what is that but my own self-centered picture.

When I align myself with you, desiring your way, your will, and your plan, my life can look so much different. When partnering with you, I can see what is not possible on my own. I can hear what I could not hear. I can taste and drink heavenly food and drink. I can bask in the sunshine of your love and sip from your living well. I can move mountains, walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and overcome the harshest environments that face me. I can love with an unconditional love and walk through doors previously closed. I can do impossible things. I can carry your banner and reveal it to all who have eyes to see it. I can sing praises with the voices of a thousand angels and dance the dance of eternity. Faith opens me to a whole new world every single day. There I choose from your infinite number of resources that help me live the life you have created for me, not just for myself, but also for people you place in my path. Faith gives me the option to point to you as the center of the cosmos, giving you credit for the miracle work that takes place in your name.

As my spiritual friend led us in prayer, I realized once again how vital it is to be held accountable in this life. If I truly want to walk the walk of faith, then I need the challenges of holding my feet to the fire, answering hard questions, changing my direction, lifting my eyes, and saying yes once again to the Lord of life.

Your Greatness,
I do
bow down
breathing my prayers
of gratitude.
I am today
because you
changed me yesterday.
I will
be refined today
to prepare me
for tomorrow.
Your power
and love
are the
greatest blessings
in my life.

Love, Andrea