Mike Fisk & Built with Grace

“I can do what I want and no one can tell me what to do.”

Generally speaking, words like this are spoken by people who are angry, unhappy and struggling with various personal and perhaps physical issues. There is truth to the statement. We are our own boss. But those who have learned through interaction with the wise; who have seen the value of listening and self-discipline are content and confident. They are healthy and generally happy. This is a physical truth born out in scripture. Our Heavenly Father is not disconnected with human truth.

“Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.” The words of this old hymn remind me that to grow in relationship with Jesus takes work…hard work and sacrifice. But nothing of value comes without hard work and sacrifice. The question I ask myself is this: “Am I struggling and sacrificing for temporal or eternal things?”

Being a follower of Christmas is not an easy, once or twice a week commitment.  It’s a 24/7, life altering,  sacrificial act of obedience. We say we are his followers but often we do so at our convenience and in our time frame, not his. We scoff at those who reject Christ, but are we ant different when we follow at a distance and half heartedly?

“Being Still” before God is not easy. The cares and worries of the world clamour for our attention. If we listen to the winds of deception; if we take our eyes off Jesus and gaze on the problems surrounding us, we will sink into the sea of despair, worry and fear. In the stillness he reminds us that we are the object of his glory and through us he will be exalted. Not of our doing, but of his.