falling.into.freedom

Cease striving and know that I am God

(Psalm 46:10 NASB)

"I've decided that if I had my life to live over again, I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets; I wouldn't only jettison my hot water bottle, raincoat, umbrella, parachute, and raft; I would not only go barefoot earlier in the spring and stay out later in the fall; but I would not devote one more minute to monitoring my spiritual growth. No, not one"

This quote is taken from Brenna Manning’s book The Furious Longing of God. This quote has brought much peace and rest to my soul. I am blessed to have read this quote. During this time when I am daily striving to see the blessing I sometimes get discouraged when I don't see them, or at least when I don't see new ones. I think this is partly due to that fact that I, no matter how hard I try not to be, am a byproduct of American culture and a lot selfish.

On those days that I get upset when I don't see the blessing, the positive side of life, I can turn into Miss. OVER analysts. I try and reflect on my day to see if there is any sin, any blatant disobedience, or any disciple that I need to do more. I do this because if there is any offensive way in me I want it gone (Psalm 139:23-24). I want away with it, so that God can be even more in my life. While this is not a bad thing to do, I too many times get caught up in the striving to get rid of the offense. More than not this striving produces anxiety, worry and guilty.  The silly thing is I can't get ride of it, and neither can you. That is what Jesus came for (Ephesians 2:8-10).

I need to stop striving to be the person who is step up perfect to receive abundant blessings. I need to strive after Him. In Christ is the abundant blessing. I need to stop monitoring my spiritual growth so much. At the end of the day if I grow closer to God, and helped someone else draw nearer to Him then it has been a blessed day.

Christ died in our place to produce in us a life a freedom. When we are consistently monitoring our spiritual growth we start to produce a life of bondage to the things that constitute a spiritual growing life. This is not what he died for. It is not bad to monitor our spiritual growth, but in this season of my life I need to stop monitoring, stop striving. I need to start letting God be God in my life. I need to let him love me, and out of that love live my life.  This thought, this old idea, to let God be God gives me room to breath, room to rest and room to live.

Sooooo here is to letting God be God!! One moment at a time I will learn and live in the truth that seeking God for God’s sake is all I need.  Knowing that God is God is more than enough!