needhope's Journal

Devotion-----More Myself----Author Rebecca Manley Pippert

CHRISTIANITY isn't a narcotic that dulls you into obedience. It involves battle-it's excrutiating to give up control. But that is why we must not feel depair if we are struggling. To struggle does not mean we are incorrigible. It means we are alive! A disciple says, "I hear you, Lord. It's the nuttiest thing I ever heard of. It's risky. I'll look like a fool, but I'll do it. Because my life is no longer committed to doing my thing but your thing." heaven will not be filled with innocent people, running around saying, "Oh, was there another way? I guess I never noticed." Rather they will say, "You bet there were other options that begged to control me. By God's grace and my struggle, Jesus is my Lord"

Is Jesus' desire to be the Lord of our live some little fetish of his? Why is it so important to him? Why should we want him to have control of our lives? Besides the fact that he deserves it because of who he is, he knows he is the only one in the universe who can control us without destroying us. No one will ever love you like Jesus. No one will ever know you better, care more for your wholeness. The last breath Jesus breathed on this planet was for you. Jesus will meet you wherever you are and he will help you. He is not intimidated by past failures, broken promises or wounds. He will make sense out of your brokeness. But he can only begin to be the Lord of your life today, not next Monday or next month, but now.

And the great and joyful paradox is that while he totally transforms us he makes us more ourselves that ever before.

verse for the day Galations 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.