Throughout my lifetime I've struggled with my view of myself and my view of God. I have had the tendency to always try to do good, be good, please others and please God. This leads to constant striving and much disappointment as I can never be as good as I want to be.
Recently I've been part of a prayer group in which I've been introduced to the book, "Abide in Christ" by Andrew Murray. One of my friends lent me the book as much of our discussions had centered around living each day abiding in Christ. If you're interested in this book, I found a site where you can read it online here. Anyways, I have been so challenged to change my frame of mind and thought processes regarding my relationship with the Lord.
I want my focus to be on loving the Lord. I want to see him as my friend who I talk with daily, whether I've "been good" or not. I want to trust that he truly loves me and wants to hear from me even when I may not have been as perfect in keeping time with God and prayer a priority. I want to pray often throughout the day and not in a legalistic, "I need to make 30 min. for prayer" way. How can I do this? It's not something I do each day, but it's a mind-set of loving God and resting in him and in his care and trusting in him.
I want my children to see God, not as someone who makes them good or who they legalistically try to please, but as someone we love and walk with daily. I want them to see that more than anything I want them to love God - more than obeying, being kind, being hard-working or any other number of behaviors I try so hard to work into them. If they truly love the Lord, he will direct them towards these behaviors I so desire they develop. Though I still work on these behaviors with them, I should emphasize even more the desire I have for them to love God. They need to see my love for God first and see my grace for them.
I pray that I would abide in Christ each day and that his love would transform myself and others. I praise God for his love and forgiveness for me. |
• Sun 20 Jan 2008 - Untitled Comment