December 9: The Offense of the Natural
Today in My Utmost for His Highest: http://www.myutmost.org/12/1209.html
Dear Jesus, I remember so very well that this was the day 15 years ago when an intense battle began in my life. As I read these words, I reared up to fight these seemingly preposterous ideas. It didn't seem fair that just because one chose to follow You that they would no longer have a right to be treated fairly, or have good health, or follow their dreams. Yet here Oswald Chambers was confidently and firmly stating that to follow You fully, we must sacrifice everything! This has been a long and bloody battle, for my self-will is hard to die. But over these years I have found that when I am at the place where I am able to give up all of my rights to You, that nothing can really hurt me there.
I think about all the current problems of the children of my heart and realize that to ask them to surrender all their rights to You means some huge sacrifices: they will have to give up the right to be happy, or be treated fairly, or to follow a dream to a career, or to have financial security, or to marry the one they love, or to continue following the family religion, or to have a living parent, or to avoid prosecution, or to maintain a good reputation, or to have a normal childhood, or to keep a relationship with their best friends, or to have good health, or to be kept safe in war, or even to stay alive long enough to see their children grown. To give up ones rights to such important things is asking so much, and You have made it very clear that You will never demand it of anyone. You have simply stated, "IF any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."
I am so grateful, Lord, that You gave me the courage to give You the things that I hold most dear, even if I could only do it for a few hours at a time in the beginning. Thank You that You proved Yourself to be absolutely trustworthy. Please give each of the children of my heart that same kind of trust, for I am positive that they will only find the comfort they so desperately seek in Your arms. Bring each of them into contact with someone who will be there to help them find the courage to LET IT GO!!
Tonight we are having a special prayer time for some of the children of my heart with critical needs. Please bring us together in faith and humility, and especially help us all to give everything to You and trust You completely.
Dear Jesus, I remember so very well that this was the day 15 years ago when an intense battle began in my life. As I read these words, I reared up to fight these seemingly preposterous ideas. It didn't seem fair that just because one chose to follow You that they would no longer have a right to be treated fairly, or have good health, or follow their dreams. Yet here Oswald Chambers was confidently and firmly stating that to follow You fully, we must sacrifice everything! This has been a long and bloody battle, for my self-will is hard to die. But over these years I have found that when I am at the place where I am able to give up all of my rights to You, that nothing can really hurt me there.
I think about all the current problems of the children of my heart and realize that to ask them to surrender all their rights to You means some huge sacrifices: they will have to give up the right to be happy, or be treated fairly, or to follow a dream to a career, or to have financial security, or to marry the one they love, or to continue following the family religion, or to have a living parent, or to avoid prosecution, or to maintain a good reputation, or to have a normal childhood, or to keep a relationship with their best friends, or to have good health, or to be kept safe in war, or even to stay alive long enough to see their children grown. To give up ones rights to such important things is asking so much, and You have made it very clear that You will never demand it of anyone. You have simply stated, "IF any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."
I am so grateful, Lord, that You gave me the courage to give You the things that I hold most dear, even if I could only do it for a few hours at a time in the beginning. Thank You that You proved Yourself to be absolutely trustworthy. Please give each of the children of my heart that same kind of trust, for I am positive that they will only find the comfort they so desperately seek in Your arms. Bring each of them into contact with someone who will be there to help them find the courage to LET IT GO!!
Tonight we are having a special prayer time for some of the children of my heart with critical needs. Please bring us together in faith and humility, and especially help us all to give everything to You and trust You completely.
posted by Jane at 8:04 AM
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