Friday, July 28, 2006
Ctrl + Alt + Delete (Or ... 'I wish I was perfect.')
I agree with Kathleen Norris -- perfection is one of the scariest words I know. Jesus' call to 'be perfect because [my] heavenly Father is perfect' really intimidates me. I know, I know .. perfect means mature and complete and all that. We are positionally perfect because we are justified, etc., etc. etc. I just want to think and talk and act perfectly... that's all.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't have a ctrl + alt + delete moment, where I wish I could take back something that I said or did or dwelled on. While each of those moments brings me to a new moment of forgiving grace (Thank God .. literally!) -- I hate the way my peace and joy are interrupted by my un-Christ-like moments.
What I am realizing with new conviction is that in my desire to be like Jesus, what makes me available to be made more like Him in 'moments' is to be more intentionally like Him in habit. The vast array of practices that Jesus engaged in to stay 'perfect' are such an incredible arsenal for my own spiritual battles. I am learning everyday what power there is in grace -- not just forgiveness -- but the very Spirit and power of God coursing through me as I make room and become available. Any time ... any day or portion of the day .. that I forget or neglect to view my thoughts, words and actions as spiritual opportunitites (indeed, as spiritual) ... I regret it.
What I am seeing is a seismic shift in how I pray. Instead of asking for things that I konw God wasnts to give me (peace, love, joy, strength, etc.) ... I am asking Him to keep my heart tethered to His so that I am moving in rhythm with His will. I know this won't bring me to perfection (yet) but I am hopeful that I'll have fewer ctrl + alt + del moments.
Lord, by the love of Jesus Christ compel me to a new awareness of You in every moment of this day. Thank you for Your grace. Amen.
There is not a day that goes by that I don't have a ctrl + alt + delete moment, where I wish I could take back something that I said or did or dwelled on. While each of those moments brings me to a new moment of forgiving grace (Thank God .. literally!) -- I hate the way my peace and joy are interrupted by my un-Christ-like moments.
What I am realizing with new conviction is that in my desire to be like Jesus, what makes me available to be made more like Him in 'moments' is to be more intentionally like Him in habit. The vast array of practices that Jesus engaged in to stay 'perfect' are such an incredible arsenal for my own spiritual battles. I am learning everyday what power there is in grace -- not just forgiveness -- but the very Spirit and power of God coursing through me as I make room and become available. Any time ... any day or portion of the day .. that I forget or neglect to view my thoughts, words and actions as spiritual opportunitites (indeed, as spiritual) ... I regret it.
What I am seeing is a seismic shift in how I pray. Instead of asking for things that I konw God wasnts to give me (peace, love, joy, strength, etc.) ... I am asking Him to keep my heart tethered to His so that I am moving in rhythm with His will. I know this won't bring me to perfection (yet) but I am hopeful that I'll have fewer ctrl + alt + del moments.
Lord, by the love of Jesus Christ compel me to a new awareness of You in every moment of this day. Thank you for Your grace. Amen.
