Lately, Jesus has
been teaching me in a small measure what truly relying upon Him looks like. Often, we have things in life that we
cling to: food, sleep, relationships, or just anything that brings us comfort
and counterfeit joy. A few months ago, I began praying that my entire reliance
would be upon Him, that I would not turn to anything else for fulfillment but
find true lasting satisfaction in His Presence.
Then He began to
test me on that very point. You see, each one of us has a choice to make in
regards to our mornings. It is a very simple answer to a question that applies
to every facet of life: am I going to live for the glory of God or for my own,
earthly, temporary pleasure? Am I going to sleep in, wake up with just enough
time to get ready and get to class, or am I going to set aside time to spend in
His Presence? Though the right answer is simple, it requires the complete
denial of self.
“But she that lives
in pleasure is dead while she lives.” I Timothy 5: 6
If I choose to live
for my own pleasure or what I think will bring true rest, it will only result
in death. However, what happens when I choose to deny myself and make Him the
number one priority? Is He more important to me than a few extra hours of
sleep? Do I crave His Presence so much that I am willing to deny myself?
“I laid me down and
slept: I awaked, for the Lord sustained me.” Psalm 3: 5
The word “sustain”
means: to support, lean upon, uphold, refresh, and revive.
“You will show me
the path of life. In Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there
are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16: 11
Do we truly believe
that Jesus is our rest? Do we truly believe that He only provides true rest,
refreshment, and rejuvenation?
See, the truth is
that we don’t need to turn to temporary fixes or solutions in order to find
rest or be rejuvenated, even ones that the world deems we “deserve” or “need.”
We have a much higher calling as Christians.
“Other ‘Christian’
girls may watch the same movies, listen to the same music, wear the same
clothes, and have all the same pop culture addictions as the rest of the world
with just slightly higher morals tacked on. But God has called us to a higher
standard- the very standard of Jesus Christ. And I believe it’s time we became
worthy of the calling we have received.” Leslie Ludy
“We must look upon
the world, with all its delights and all its attractions, with suspicion and
reserve. We are called to a higher kingdom, we are touched with a Diviner
Spirit. It is not that He forbids us this or that comfort or indulgence; it is
not that He is stern, demanding us to follow a narrow path. But we who love the
Lord and whose affections are set on heavenly things voluntarily and gladly lay
aside the things that charm and ravish the world, that, for our part, our
hearts may be ravished with the things of heaven, that our whole being may be
poured forth in constant and unreserved devotion in the service of the Lord who
died to save us."
~ Amy Carmichael
I have truly
discovered this year what seems to be a paradoxical notion. When I let myself
have extra “downtime” or sleep in late so as to not have as much time with my
sweet Bridegroom who daily beckons me unto Himself, I have less energy
throughout the day. However, when I make time
in the morning to spend with Him, even if it means less sleep (no matter how
significant a loss of sleep it may be), I have more than enough energy and
strength for the day and more! He is so faithful to supply every need. And I
cannot even begin to explain how much better my day flows and how ready I am to
go to battle and truly pour out my
life in service to those around me. We must be built in the secret place in
order to be able to truly spend our lives for those around us.
