I'm having to learn very quickly that committing one's life to Christ requires rapid, radical, (and in some cases constant) change. It is a continuous realignment of my priorities. It is a continuous adaptation to new circumstances. Most importantly, it is a continuous emptying of self; that is, I must daily lay down my personal desires and take up God's will for me. It would be impossible for me to constantly reprioritize and readjust without a steadfast relationship with Jesus. I would go insane if I tried to do any of this on my own.
Do I still worry? Of course. Everybody worries about something sometime. The big difference is that I don't have to dwell on whatever subject I'm worried about. Because of this special relationship I have with Him, I can give all my concerns to Him. This is not to say that every problem I have will be taken away as though a magic wand was waved, so that I can just sit back and do nothing every day. God still demands 100% of my effort in serving Him. Note that I said "effort", and not "success". I don't succeed for the Lord. I simply give Him my best effort, and He ensures what success He wants. All of my effort alone can never succeed in whatever He wants me to do. When I acknowledge that before Him, the Glory is all His when success is finally attained.
God has already given me peace about the amount of work taking classes will involve. As I study, I am even finding that He is giving me new joy in learning the material. It seems a bit strange to me now that I initially thought that in-depth study of His Word would be burdensome. As I learn, I'm reminded that, as one of His elect, I'm able to find a great deal of comfort and contentment within those pages.
One seemingly burdensome task remains for me right now, and that is the project I'm faced with at work. May God give me the same joy in filling this role as well. May He continue to remind me daily that I serve Him in everything I do. Most importantly, may He receive the glory in the end.
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." - Luke 9:23
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
Do I still worry? Of course. Everybody worries about something sometime. The big difference is that I don't have to dwell on whatever subject I'm worried about. Because of this special relationship I have with Him, I can give all my concerns to Him. This is not to say that every problem I have will be taken away as though a magic wand was waved, so that I can just sit back and do nothing every day. God still demands 100% of my effort in serving Him. Note that I said "effort", and not "success". I don't succeed for the Lord. I simply give Him my best effort, and He ensures what success He wants. All of my effort alone can never succeed in whatever He wants me to do. When I acknowledge that before Him, the Glory is all His when success is finally attained.
God has already given me peace about the amount of work taking classes will involve. As I study, I am even finding that He is giving me new joy in learning the material. It seems a bit strange to me now that I initially thought that in-depth study of His Word would be burdensome. As I learn, I'm reminded that, as one of His elect, I'm able to find a great deal of comfort and contentment within those pages.
One seemingly burdensome task remains for me right now, and that is the project I'm faced with at work. May God give me the same joy in filling this role as well. May He continue to remind me daily that I serve Him in everything I do. Most importantly, may He receive the glory in the end.
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." - Luke 9:23
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2
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