We, as Christians,
are called to live an impossible life.
Growing up, I guess
I knew that my life was supposed to look as least somewhat different from those around me, but the impossible things that
Jesus commanded, were passed off as “just do your best, and when you mess it
up, it’s okay. He forgives you, and it’s not like you will ever actually live
this life as a Christian well. That’s what grace is for.” However, in the past couple of years, I’ve
taken on a different perspective. According to Romans 6-8, my old Krista is
dead with Christ. I no longer live. Instead, the very life of Jesus Christ
Himself, along with the same power that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in
me.
Our lives are not to
be ones of defeat. They are to be lives that represent His triumph, joy, and
victory.
So, what about this
impossible life He calls us to?
These past couple
weeks have required a supernatural energy. Being a college student at the end
of a semester is not easy; there are papers to write, exams to study for,
schedules to make for next semester, etc. Though these can be straining, what
really requires the grace of God is choosing, in the midst of tiredness from
work and exams, to serve, spend, spill,
pour out your life. The enemy has brought the bait a couple times:
“Don’t respond
immediately when you know that someone needs help. Sit back, and pretend you
don’t see.”
“It’s okay to get irritated
with that person right now. You’re stressed and have a lot to do. They most
certainly will understand later. After all, it’s
just normal.”
“Just take this
morning and sleep in. God understands
that you need rest. You can spend time with Him in intercession and study
later.”
“Use your free time
for yourself. Don’t worry about those kids you know that need love and to be
shown Jesus. You need some time this afternoon to relax—you’ve had a busy day.”
When each of these has
been presented, God has continually reminded me to rise up by His supernatural
strength, and declare “NO!” My calling and purpose is to serve and spend myself
for those around me. God will take care of how much rest I need. God will take
care of how much sleep I get it. God will take care of how much time I need to
finish that paper. God knows that I need to finish that test.
I have discovered in
a whole new way what it truly means to trust God to supply the needed grace and
strength for the day. When I have deliberately chosen to set my alarm in order
to have sufficient time to spend with Him, even though it may mean
significantly less sleep that I am told is “needed,” He always provides more than enough.
I have learned in an
even greater measure what little “strength” I have is…nonexistent. If I rely
upon what I have, I will crumble under the weight of the high calling He has
given me. For, this impossible Christian life requires constant vigilance,
prayer, watchfulness, sobermindness, strength, endurance, fortitude, and
immovability. However, when I rely fully upon His strength, I always, without fail, have more than
enough for what is needed.
“Normal Christianity
means never being ‘normal’ again.” Leslie Ludy
“Now unto HIM that
is able (the dynamite power of God) to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power (the dynamite power of God) that works
in us.” Ephesians 3: 20
Excellent post. Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a living testimony of God's power. You're not just finding Him to be faithful for your own daily life, you're also demonstrating His glory to all those around you. This is an encouragement to me and it prods me on to be more faithful myself, to rely more fully on Him, and to prove His ability far past the end of my nonexistent human strength.
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