Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Parallels


Have you ever seen a parallel which reflected an analogy of your relationship with Christ? As a parent, you may see an example of your relationship to Christ through an experience with your child. As an employee, you may see the quality of your service to Christ by your professional conduct in your workplace. As a husband or wife, you may see your role as a bride to Christ in your marriage relationship.

This morning as I began to pray, I found myself asking God if there was anything I needed to hear…those of you with pets know the excitement they exhibit when they first see or hear your voice. I don’t know if God was licking His chops at the open door I’d given Him but He did have something to share with me.

I remained quiet while the Lord revealed that I’ve often listened but I have at times not heard Him. My instinct was to protest and to offer clarification; those of you with children or parents probably get this immediately. Anyway, I wanted to interrupt but I no longer had the floor. As the politicians say here in our nation’s capitol, I yielded the floor to my esteemed Creator on High.

I remained silent.

I wanted to hear everything I’d previously missed.


God showed me how I held a place in my life that was mine, all mine and no one got through that door; access was restricted.

Could I have listened to God’s direction and not heard one word? What kind of Christian is that? Am I guilty of rejecting instruction, direction and counsel?

When God finished, I saw my guilt with Him and others. I confessed my area of independence, expressing my desire that I DO want to always hear Him, obey Him, serve Him and please Him with my life.

I cannot imagine life without Christ but I’ve been willing to carry on with the status quo and reserve a place just for me. I realize that as much as I love to talk, I need to allow the grace of the Lord to show me how to hear; not just Him but others as well.

I wish I could share something insightful today but this is all I have and it was a necessary confession.

"O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly;
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
" (Psalms 63:1)

I praise you Lord for your merciful grace showered in my life today. I bathe in it today and experience a freedom and cleansing only you can give. Thank you for loving me so kindly and forgiving me for my arrogance.


On a side note, I want to express my thanks to some bloggers who have been an encouragement to me (particularly this week when I looked at the man in the mirror).

I started to include a disclaimer that said, "There are other bloggers whom I express my appreciation in personal comments; please don't look unkindly towards me for not listing you today." -- But as people who love and trust Christ is this really necessary?

Back to my thanks:I would be negligent if I didn’t share with this community that these bloggers have a heart for Jesus Christ that seeks to please Him and hear Him. As I've said, "they encourage and inspire me be be a better Christian":
  1. DC
  2. Alisa
  3. Lloyd
  4. Dean
  5. Kim
  6. Jane
  7. Elizabeth
  8. Merana
  9. Sharon
  10. Sarah
  11. Tiffany
  12. Teresa
If you haven’t visited these blogs, I would encourage you to check them out. Mention MTJ and you’ll receive…well, you don’t get any gift for mentioning me but tell them I asked you to visit anyway.

10 comments:

Sharon said...

What a meaningful post today...thank you.

My favorite line was this: "I realize that as much as I love to talk, I need to allow the grace of the Lord to show me how to hear" - I think you wrote that about me...

"Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

Yes, Lord, help me learn to be STILL...

P.S. Thanks for your kind recognition...you are a blessing to me, too.

mariel said...

beautiful word for today. I enjoyed my first visit to your blog, I look forward to returning!

MTJ said...

Sharon: I've been blessed to read what the Lord puts in your heart to write.

Mariel: I'm happy to meet another follower of Christ; I look forward to reading what the Lord imparts through you.

Teresa said...

MTJ!
This whole post today was amazing insight from the Lord God Almighty! When you stated that it was all you had..I laughed..that's ALL? I loved your comparisions from our relationships to Him in different ways..especially in regards to those of us with pets!! Tears welled up as you said,
"those of you with pets know the excitement they exhibit when they first see or hear your voice. I don’t know if God was licking His chops at the open door I’d given Him but He did have something to share with me."

Thank you for your encouragement through the recognition of the Testimony of God over each of our lives!!! You my brother are an amazing encouragement....thank you for coming by and giving insight of what you have learned from the Lord.
Blessings and peace of God be showered upon you because it is within you!
Teresa

MTJ said...

Teresa: You speak with an earnest desire and heart for the things of God. I appreciate that you impart that passion for Christ to this global community. May we who call ourselves followers of Christ seek Him with that passion and desire for more of Him to be revealed in our lives.

DC said...

Hi Daddy,
I too enjoyed your post on life and spiritual parallels. It's not an easy thing to listen. I imagine we all argue with God most of the time, I know I have position statements prepared. It's especially good to listen and earnestly hear what God is saying. His words are always truer than what I'm saying. My self centeredness causes me to forget we're not on equal footing. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement.

Thanks for the shot-out too.

Love you,
D

Unknown said...

Oh how I can relate to this post! This line especially hit home with me, "I realize that as much as I love to talk, I need to allow the grace of the Lord to show me how to hear; not just Him but others as well."

Thank you so much for including me in your encouragement list! I got teary-eyed when I saw my name! You bless me!!!

Jane said...

MTJ, I want you to know that you've been such an encouragement to me in my walk as a child of God. I'm so glad to have met you here! Love you.

Glory to God said...

MTJ -

I have to agree with Teresa. You certainly had much to offer in your post that helps all of us to grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord.

I sometimes wonder if I'm holding something back from God. Do I listen, like you mentioned? Your words, "Could I have listened to God’s direction and not heard one word? What kind of Christian is that? Am I guilty of rejecting instruction, direction and counsel?" struck a chord with me because I believe that could be me asking those questions.

Brother, you have a heart for the Lord and may He continue to use you in a way that draws peoples' hearts to Him.

God bless!

MTJ said...

DC: You crack me up with your, "I have position statements prepared." -- Bless you and the light you shine.

Alisa: Your honesty and desire to please the Lord leaps forth from your writing. I am thankful to have found your blog and I always look forward to reading what the Lord is speaking to your heart.

Jane:I think you were the first blog I read in this community and if I were to try to describe how your words have blessed me, no doubt I'd sound like a groupie. But you are a blessing sister.

Dean: I haven't read many blogs authored by Christian men that touch my heart with a genuine desire for Christ-centered living. I am encouraged by you and others who proclaim that Christ came to save men too! Our desire to live for Christ is demonstrated in the way we live our lives. Thank you for being a brotherly light.