"You can achieve the victorious life through deep dependence on Me. People usually associate victory with success: not falling or stumbling, not making mistakes... (However) it is through problems and failure, weakness and neediness, that you learn to rely on Me...
Invite Me to plant My desire within you. I may infuse within you a dream that seems far beyond your reach... deepening your dependence (even more) on Me." (6)
Many of us have come to know just how painful it is to be weak, flawed, hindered or mistaken in some way. Those of us who tend to be perfectionistic are more likely to be deeply disappointed with ourselves when we fail and can even give up on our God-inspired dreams!
In recent years I have come into a new dimension of personal peace over this. Realizing that some of my desires will most likely not be realized in this life, I simply trust they will somehow be honored in the next! I've decided I would rather life out my earthly life believing and making the most of even the worst, than to simply give up altogether. After all, some dreams may be more than just MY dreams... they may be God-inspired!
In this human journey, I can choose to experience a divinely inspired "growth spurt" each time I face a disappointment... discovering a gem of insight, gleaning a lesson learned, or a reason to be thankful in any life experience, even in the realization of dreams. This has been a helpful way to discover the secret joys and the profound peace of a life deeply dependent on Jesus.
Paul says he will boast in the things that reveal his weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on him, delighting in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Well, I may not be quite there yet, however I am...
Deeply Dependent & Deeply Grateful...dmc
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From my readings today: "As you lean into Jesus, the direction of your steps becomes almost irrelevant. Each cobblestone you traverse, each ditch you leap across, becomes a victory. You care less about where you're going and more about trusting where he is leading you. Press in. Inhale deeply. And don't lag behind." from "Take My Heart Oh God"
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great quote and the powerful word-picture it paints! I love that insight...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyce!
What an inspiring quote! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe more I experience these "needy" times, the more I learn that whether I grow from it or not, whether I can still experience joy and peace through it or not, is most closely related to the attitude and perspective that I choose to have, along with the help of His Spirit of course. :-) I think that's what Paul meant in Philippians when he says he has "learned the secret of being content in all circumstances," and of course it's only possible because I can "do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Learning that our experience does not have to be based solely on our circumstances is quite freeing, because circumstances are almost always out of our control.
ReplyDeleteAmen Leslie! Sometimes this is easier said than done for me. I failed miserably last week with my "needy" times and keeping peace and joy. It seemed no matter how hard I tried, the stress took hold and wouldn't let go. I continue to analyze the situation so I may grow from the experience, however God will have to show me what I need to change in order to handle things differently. I really like your last comment!
ReplyDeleteAmen...I agree! "Circumstances are almost always out of our control." Aren't we grateful we have the option to choose the attitude we will hold to and the Savior we hold on to!!?
ReplyDelete