With the extra time lately, I've read a lot of books. I finished The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell last night. The book is securely returned to the Kitsap Regional Library return bin, so I can't look up the proper citation for this next quote. However, the truth continues to be paradigm-shifting.
According to the cited author (who I can't remember...) there are two outcomes in any situation: 1) you win or 2) you learn.
In many ways, life is familiar right now. I still live in the same community where my roots are. I'm walking out of a good relationship that had been infected by sin. I'm starting a new job and living in a new house. Many of these lessons are lessons I've learned once before. (Okay, more than once... but review, nonetheless.) I'd become so bent on "winning" within the scope of education, that I forgot the joy of learning. Ironic, I know.
"And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." -Psalm 9:10
In the inevitable transition that must accompany growth, there is One who remains unchanging. I've learned that before, and apparently need additional review. So, there are two outcomes for 2013 (and every smaller increment of life, for that matter). Either, win or learn. I can win with Christ--the ultimate victor-- securing eternal life for His beloved. Or I can learn from failures, through His beautiful sacrifice of grace. What a sobering prospect.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him who loved us.-- Romans 8:37
My struggles pale in comparison to eternity, even within the history of my own existence. I am confident there will be bigger challenges in the future, too. But there is an overwhelming power of hope that comes with the promise of being on the side of the Champion.
Praise be to our loving God. He equips us to both win and learn every day. His love is too big for us to understand. Thank you, sweet Savior.
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.-- Psalm 130:4
Friday, January 11, 2013
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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