PURSUING TOTAL COMMITMENT

PURSUING TOTAL COMMITMENT

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!” 

Philippians 3:15  (The Message)

I know the goal, I know how to pursue it, but what happens when it seems like the more I pursue the goal God has for me the more blurred my daily vision become? I have no doubt that Satan is alive and well trying to steal, kill and destroy our pursuit of Christ.

As I take a moment to reflect on the past month, I get frustrated. I get caught up in the day to day struggles of what it means to live in the human side of life while pursuing the spiritual side as well. I hope you can see the honesty in my struggle and identify with me? It’s reality!

Reality tells me there will be discomfort, there will be pain, there will be heartache, there will be conflict in life. We cannot deny that these things happen to us. To do so as followers of Christ would actually do more damage to our faith. We must grasp the truth that we are a people who must live by grace through faith every day of our lives. Growing in full devotion to Christ means I must discover how to handle both the positive and negative aspects of daily living. The Good news is found in the silver lining that Christ promises to help us and guide us along this path of life.

Isaiah 43:1-2 says, “But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

“You” means you who are struggling with the realities of this life. We cannot explain away the hardships of life and most often will not find an answer or be satisfied with that answer once we do. The answer is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:11, “I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”  

As much as I dislike the realities of this life it is in fact the process by which transformation takes place as my faith in Christ develops. I must trust God, believing that He is able to help me through the trials and tribulations of life. In those moments we must run to Him instead of running away from Him. I came across these words from Steve Arterburn, a Christian Counselor who says,

“A healthy faith acknowledges the supernatural power of God and does not need miraculous intervention to prove that God is real. The healthy believer does not look for God to magically change the circumstances, but looks to him in the midst of trials.” I would add that we do not necessarily look to God to “Magically change the circumstances, but look to God to change us in the midst of those difficult circumstances. Don’t miss the promise from God, “I will be with you!”  In that promise let us continue forward toward the goal of Total Commitment struggles and all.

Here’s the reminder once again, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14. Let us press on together in total commitment as we embrace the year 2020. Let us pray that God will clear our blurred vision so we can focus on Him as we worship, give, grow, serve and love together. Together let’s focus on the goal of Total Commitment in 2020.

Even in the midst of struggles, it is Jesus who makes the darkness tremble!