A self-sufficient person struggles to ask for help, exemplifying pride. I am that person.
An insecure person attempts to control all situations with plans and back-up plans, personifying fear. I am also that person.
The following passage was especially convicting to me:
"In direct contradiction to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability. He intentionally puts His people in situations where they come face to face with their need for Him. In the process he powerfully demonstrates His ability to provide everything His people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined. And in the end, He makes much of His own name (47)."
I live far more often by the mantra of the American dream than that mandate of Christ. In trying to stay afloat and manage situations by my own strength, I am not only missing out on the opportunity to see what God wants to accomplish in my life but also the beauty of not having to make things happen. Making things happen is exhausting, often destroys relationships, and nearly always undermines our peace. His way is better, His strength is perfect, and His heart is kind. We need to trust Him.
Questions for you, sisters (quoted from the end of the chapter):
1. "Would you say that your life is marked right now by desperation for the Spirit of God?"
2. "Would you say that the church you are a part of is characterized by this sense of desperation?"
3. "Why would we ever want to settle for Christianity according to our ability or settle for church according to our resources?"
4. What are some practical ways we can combat the tendency to rely on ourselves rather than Christ?
1. Right now I would not say my life is marked by desperation for the Spirit of God. I feel that the everyday life screams louder then the quiet voice of the Spirit, so instead of quieting my mind to listen to the quiet voice of the Spirit, I give my attention to whatever is screaming the loudest. And that is not how I want to live my life. I want my life to be one of intentionality.
ReplyDelete2. I would say Spring Valley has moments of this sense of desperation, but just as in my own life, it seems that we are just trying to keep up with needs and sometimes miss out on the intentionality of doing sure with desperation for God.
3. I think we sometimes settle because we cannot even fathom how awesome it would be with God's resources. A metaphor is people, maybe financially poor or relationship poor, they don't even have the means to imagine how it could be better so they stay where they are because they don't think it could be any different.
4. We can combat the tendency to rely on ourselves rather than Christ by regularly realigning our perspective. By filtering our lives, circumstances and relationships through His Word and bringing an eternal mindset into our day-to-day.
Just a side note, what does desperation for the Spirit of God look like? When I read that phrase I think of this high level of passion and always on spiritual person. I know this isn't the right image, but what does it look like?