I do not know where I read this, but an author asked a question of Christians about our patriotism. If we would be patriotic enough to suffer and even die for our country, how much more would we do for our Lord? This was a very convicting question for me. What about my family? I know I love them enough to suffer for them and even die for them. Am I willing to do this for the Lord.
In the book by Dennis Miller, Searching for God Knows What, on page 203-204 he provides an interesting take on actions we take when we are in love. He states, “I’ve a friend who has a leather-bound day planner, and on an inside page of the planner there is a space for facts about a spouse: her dress size, her favorite foods, her favorite music. Amazingly, this is not a page my friend created on a blank sheet of paper; rather, he bought it from the company that makes the time-management system. We laughed together at the oddity of the idea of trying to calculate, plan and structure knowledge that would be meaningful to a woman only if her husband knew it, as a consequence of his love. The whole point of intimacy is that you want to know things, random facts; you are driven to them because this woman has taken you captive, not that you would write them down as a matter of discipline. Imagine calling your wife to tell her you love her and then hanging up the phone to check off the action on your to-do list.”
How many of us treat the Lord like this? Again, I am convicted by how many times I pray, read, go to Church out of duty, to have the ability to mark off what I have done for the Lord.
Lord, I pray for a fresh love in my heart for you. One which shows I will ‘call you’ to tell you I love you, because of my want to make you happy. I want to die to myself for you. I want to love you with all my being. And also, move this love for my family, friends, co-workers and all mankind. Like in Luke 10:27, I want to live the two Commandments. “He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'*; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'*" Amen.
4 comments:
nice analogy of calling your spouse for purpose of checking off a list. I may steal that for a retreat I'm doing in the spring on this topic...contemplation of the Lord's love for us, even if we never "did anything" for Him is another great topic! Our love is so fragile and pale compared to His neverchanging love for us!
blessings,
Kim Romig
I enjoyed reading all your blog today even though I've read some it the content before. It is very encouraging and thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing your faith walk! Blessing, Donna
Your page is a blessing to me. It is wonderful to look at something through anothers perspective. Thanks for all you do and thankyou for blessing me and my family.
Blessings,
Jacquie
Shalom little brother of mine,
I just spent an hour with one of my students, a young man who came to Israel when he was 13 and is now 27. He is wanting to improve his English so that is where I come into the picture. He likes to just have normal conversation as he has been drilled on grammar over and over. (He was born and lived in Russian until 13). The Russians are so keen on grammar. However, I am not so Roma and are a good match. We spend an hour together twice a week just talking about normal things. Fortunately, for him and me, talking about normal things revolves around the Lord Jesus Christ. I was sharing with him regarding life, what it isn't and what it is. He pulled out a book called "Basics Lessons on Life," I believe the book is compiled of messages from Witness Lee. Anyway, it was so sweet because the Lord really had us both on the same page, (figuratively speaking) and "Life" was flowing and we enjoyed the Lord together.
This is what we both have seen: 7 points on what life is not.
1. Life is not devotion, piety.
2. Life is not good behavior.
3. Life is not power (power is for the Work).
4. Life is not growth in knowledge. Growth in knowledge is just that and nothing more.
5. Life is not gift. Gift is for our function.
6. Life is not human life. Human life is mortal.
What life is:
1. Life is God, His content and His impartation.
2. Life is Christ, the embodiment of God.
3. Life is the Holy Spirit, the reality of Christ.
4. Life is the Triune God: the Father as the source, the Son as the Tree of Life, and the Spirit as the Spirit of life for the flowing.
We discussed why it is so important for Christians to be clear as to what life is. We get so confused in "religion" and you and I know religion very well, we were raised in a most loving, but very religious home. Anyway, if we don't clearly see that we are nothing and He is everything, then life cannot be released. When we are coming from anything of ourselves life is not present.
So, in saying all of that and considering your question, would you give your life for your family, etc. If we are nothing, and taking Him as everything then there is no reason to even ask the question. Just take Him, stay in His leading, and everything else falls into the place He would have it go.
We just say, Amen, Oh Lord, Halleluia.
I love you so much Little Brother. See you soon. Sharon
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