This Got My Attention This Morning!
While pursuing through the various devotionals I read, this one from my guy Oswald Chambers got my full attention:
We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern. The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)…The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack. Taken from The Brave Friendship of God-My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition
This spoke volumes to me. If we will admit it, all of us tend to look at other people who are doing well, and figure they must be really good Christians; and conversely look at those in the struggle and wonder where they are missing he mark. When it comes our time to "go through", we search to see where we failed. Or, if God has us on the back side of the mountain, we may even question our calling, or if we are good enough to be used by God in that calling.
The enemy of our soul has a huge bag of condemnation to throw upon us, to keep us wondering where we stand with God. Yet, here Oswald Chambers so simply places the scripture before us with this explanation, it is never what we bring to God, it what He brings to us. He does not want our ability, He wants our friendship, our love, our devotion. I can hear the words of a song written by Israel Houghton:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God He calls me friend1:
Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing…
It’s so simple, this walk with God that we miss it. We try to make it complicated, highly spiritual, even out of our reach. Yet His hand is extended still;
Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me. Revelation 3:20 (TPT)
Maria