Musings on Future Grace
On Saturday night, my church offered me and the other congregants a wonderful time of reflection for the past year. As I was thinking about where I have seen God work in the past year of my life I was overwhelmed at His goodness to me. Here are just a few ways God has been at work:
- teaching me that He is the Good Shepherd that leads us
- revealing the pride in my heart
- loving me with everlasting love
- giving me faith to trust him as I moved to Hungary
- providing for all my financial needs in his timing and way
- providing roommates and friends in Hungary
One verse that came to mind that summed up what this year has been like and what God has done is:
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
(Exodus 15:11, 13 ESV)
Then as I pondered about the year to come. I thought of the challenges that lie ahead. Only having 5 more months with my students, special school projects I've never done before, finishing the school year, a summer here, deepening relationships here, most likely not seeing my family for another year, moving houses this summer, language learning, beginning a new school year again with new students. The list could go on and on. Instead of being overwhelmed I remembered what God has done in the past and what he is calling me to. Another passage of scripture came to mind.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)
This is a challenge to "put on" the things of Christ and I know if I need to put on there must be some taking off involved in order for the 'putting on' to happen. Or perhaps better said 'putting to death'. I need to put to death bitterness, jealously, pride, angry, grumbling, selfishness and so much more.
I am reminded that I can do neither, the putting on or putting to death in my own strength. I must come before the Father and ask for his help by the spirit to accomplish anything.
So, I enter 2012 looking back at God's mercy and goodness of the past year. And looking forward to another year of hope and claiming the promises of Jesus. Another year of dying to self in order that he might be seen in me. I am thankful to God for this future grace. I am thankful to God for so many who have joined me on this journey. I pray it strengthens and encourages your relationship with Christ.
- teaching me that He is the Good Shepherd that leads us
- revealing the pride in my heart
- loving me with everlasting love
- giving me faith to trust him as I moved to Hungary
- providing for all my financial needs in his timing and way
- providing roommates and friends in Hungary
One verse that came to mind that summed up what this year has been like and what God has done is:
“Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
“You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
(Exodus 15:11, 13 ESV)
Then as I pondered about the year to come. I thought of the challenges that lie ahead. Only having 5 more months with my students, special school projects I've never done before, finishing the school year, a summer here, deepening relationships here, most likely not seeing my family for another year, moving houses this summer, language learning, beginning a new school year again with new students. The list could go on and on. Instead of being overwhelmed I remembered what God has done in the past and what he is calling me to. Another passage of scripture came to mind.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)
This is a challenge to "put on" the things of Christ and I know if I need to put on there must be some taking off involved in order for the 'putting on' to happen. Or perhaps better said 'putting to death'. I need to put to death bitterness, jealously, pride, angry, grumbling, selfishness and so much more.
I am reminded that I can do neither, the putting on or putting to death in my own strength. I must come before the Father and ask for his help by the spirit to accomplish anything.
So, I enter 2012 looking back at God's mercy and goodness of the past year. And looking forward to another year of hope and claiming the promises of Jesus. Another year of dying to self in order that he might be seen in me. I am thankful to God for this future grace. I am thankful to God for so many who have joined me on this journey. I pray it strengthens and encourages your relationship with Christ.
 |
| A glorious sunrise |
Comments
Post a Comment