Yesterday on one of my weekly walks with my friend Missy, we were discussing some of our New Years Resolutions along with Oprah's Best Life series that was on TV this week. Interesting combo? I think Oprah's got some things right though. It takes each part of you; body, heart, spiritually, sexually, your medical health, mental health - your whole self to make a change, or to understand the changes that have occurred in your life. Our discussion started with why we have gained weight. What was missing that we decided food needed to take its place? Was it spiritual, was it lifestyle change (marriage), depression, losing a person, losing of yourself? Maybe you don't feel passionate about life or your job? I'm not exactly sure what mine is, or maybe I'm slowly accepting myself as I am and so I find that I'm happier in all of the areas of myself? But I would definitely like to strengthen my relationship with God, its one of the last things in my life for me to add and to continue to work on. My exercise is there, my diet is there, my friendships are growing, my job will always be stressful and I can't change that, my relationship with my husband constantly amazes me and brings me joy, but I'm lacking spiritually. I love Sundays, going to church listening to Howard preach with such honesty. But I'm bad about opening my bible. Simply there is no other way to put it. Am I just loving Jesus on Sundays? We all fall into these ruts, however what about getting out of them? What about making it more than just a Sunday relationship? I guess Jesus heard me share this with Missy, because we sang this song today. I highlighted the parts that hit my soul. He pursues me even when I don't want to be pursued. Finds me, seeks me, and protects me even when I do not ask. By grace alone I have faith.
In Christ alone my hope is found;He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.
4 comments:
If I could only internalize the words of "In Christ Alone" - there is such truth in them. It's one of my favorites because whenever I sing it, it instantly shrinks my life down to the reality of who I am in Christ. How quickly we forget. I am reminded of the speaker on our last youth group beach trip, Keith Naylor, who encouraged us to hang in with God in the midst of our struggle. And I think of Jacob wrestling with God. Most of the time, the only way I am communing with God is through a constant barrage of questions and lots of heartache, but I think emotional honesty with God is an important part of being emotionally honest with ourselves. Thanks again for your ruthless introspection.
Thank you Mol for your comment. I love reading your thoughts. I love what you said about emotional honesty with God is an important part of being emotionally honest with ourselves. Love you!!
You are welcome, and thanks for approving me, once again, to read your blog. And you're on my blog list, finally!
great post. and oh so true. i often bring my bible with me to work with the intention of reading it during down time but that rarely happens. instead i find myself leafing thru USweekly. ugh. my church really emphasizes small groups//home groups//bible studies. jesus was relational and the best way to grow and to be held accountable is to nuture christian relationships (aside from delving into the word of course). after all that is what the biblical definition of church is, certainly not a building.
hope u dont mind a stranger reading your blog :O
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