My Life in Christ

My youngest daughter, Clara Taylor, opens her eyes each morning with the greatest of hopes for a fun and exciting day. This is a wonderful way to approach the day, but I am sorry to say I don't greet the morning with this festive flair. I mentally run through my task list and summarized if I'm behind or ahead even before my feet hit the floor. As the Advent and Christmas seasons draw near, I am reminded to shake loose this mundane routine and consider how God might be speaking to me through this very special season of the year.

As a leader of women, perhaps my hearts greatest desire is to listen attentively to the voice of God speaking through scripture, nature, daily events, and the kind of reflection that leads me to consider "… for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." I must refuse any narcissistic image to idolize what I do or who I claim to be as a leader. I struggle to let go of old ways of seeing and must refocus my vision so that I recognize Christ in all persons. I need to take off my shoes and enter the holy space, where I am welcomed by God to surrender all to him. (Jan Johnson)

Deuteronomy 30:14 says, "The word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe." If the Bible is merely words on a page, we are missing out on God's primary way of speaking to you and me. Try taking a passage of Scripture from that viewpoint: God wants to speak it to you. As you read the following passages, substitute your name for mine and speak the words aloud to yourself from God's (or Jesus') point of view. Better yet, write them down; best yet, do both.

"Cheryl, don't worry. Just keep trusting me. I will never leave you isolated. I am your constant companion, always at your side. You are in me and I am in you. You really can live in union with me. The Counselor--the Holy Spirit--is eager to teach you everything you need to know and remind you when you forget. Doing the things I've told you will bond you to me even more and give you a rich life in God. My companionship will provide you with a peace that the world cannot give, cannot experience, and cannot even understand. You really don’t need to be troubled or afraid of anything ever again." (John 14: 1, 18, 20, 23, 26-27)

"Cheryl, I want you to truly know me. I want to give you spiritual power, resurrection sort of power. This will mean you have to let go of quite a bit, especially those things you regard as success. But you won't be sorry because you'll bask in the surpassing richness of knowing me as you're all in all. You'll need to lay aside certain things that look good (and you'll see how silly it was to hold on to them) so that you can gain more of me and make me your own. It will gradually become clear to you and others that you are mine---not because you do good things---but because you radiate a self-forgetful unassuming goodness that can come only from me.

Now, Cheryl, you aren't there yet, but press in---don’t give up---because I've got a hold of you and I am doing this in you. You're going to have to forget, to let go of, and to lay aside the glories (and faults) of yesterday, last year, and ten years ago, and then turn your attention and energy toward me and the with-God life I'm drawing you into. Trust me more than ever before." (Philippians 3:7-14)

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,

that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

^{(Book of Common Prayer)}

Blessings, grace, and peace to you in this holy season….