Therefore; Therefore I urge you; Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters; Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy … I have to say memorization is not my strong suit, in fact, I am sure I look like a rambling woman out of my mind. What’s new though!
In all seriousness, memorizing Romans 12:1-2, unpacking theseverses, provides us with an opportunity as Christians to begin to understand what our walk should look like. Often Christianity can become a check list of actions: I am a Christian if I go to church, I am a Christian if I help others, I am a Christian if I read my Bible, and those actions are outward signs of a Christ-Follower, but they do not make you a Christ Follower.Following Christ should not be an event on your schedule, a task on your list, or something you can compartmentalized in your life to live out in convenient moments. In order to be a Christ Follower you have to be willing to let go of your worldview and adopt a Christ like view, you have to hand your life over to Him willingly and know you will not be the same from that point on.He wants to transform you from the inside out, so your Christ like actions flow from a transformed heart and mind. God wants you, all of you to reflect His light and love to the world around you. In the book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis conveyed this idea very clearly, as if God was speaking directly to us:
“Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.”
As I have been unpacking this verse and spending time with God, I heard Him shout to me “offer your body as a living sacrifice,” live a life that is worthy of your calling, seek my Word and be transformed for my purpose not yours. In order to do that I must surrender all of myself to Him, not just the parts I am willing to give up. I must say yes. I must choose to follow His lead, even when my mind is tempted to rationalize a situation that places God in my plan instead of allowing me to walk in His. When we say yes and begin to spend time in the presence of God our hearts and minds are slowly transformed. His light can shine through us, and others are able to catch a glimpse of the character of God. I can attest this process is not a painless one, but it is a transforming one. Are you at a place where you are willing to let go of who you are to become who God wants you to be?
Julie
Love that Lewis quote Julie...good job on bringing it all home this week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie, you know there is one small word you stated that is ringing loud and clear in my spirit. “I must say YES.” It may seem small and insignificant, but when I say YES to God and mean it, then it becomes the biggest and most profound word I could ever say. As a Christian, people seem to think I live out this perfect spiritual life, but I mess up, I’m just like everyone in this world, born a sinner. The only thing that sets me apart is that I chose to say YES! Yes to God, choosing to let Him transform me into who He wants me to be not who I choose to be. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes and Amen! I thank you Julie for choosing to say Yes and being that light here at Northside for all of us to see!
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