Change and growth occur as I gracefully grow into changes that reflect who I am – even as who I am comes into focus. This ugly duckling becomes a swan in time. The fruit eventually bears the good nature of the seed. Developmental stages may look awkward, but in the end, Christ is reflected in me, as me.
Conscious reliance on Christ is my practice. It is the work of believing and the renewing of my mind. It is not easy to rely on His action within me, especially if I can’t see the work He’s doing; but He’s asked me to trust even when it seems He is neglecting a promise. I hold true when the flesh taunts my trust. The Lord elates more over a victory in my heart than a victory in my flesh.
An uncommon travail will procure a trusting heart. His unrelenting petition is that I trust His life to move me into action. Claudia recently said, “I love the sound of His voice in me even when it comes from another.” Her words were an echo of His voice in me and yes, I loved their sound! For several years He’s been causing me to trust Him apart from any other source. He has been causing me to respect (love) the sound of His voice in me and to recognize that voice even as it comes through another. He has been digging for trust (like gold) and has shown me the richness of His vein resting in me. I would rather die trusting God than live trusting the flesh.
His life is active. His method for change is rising as the natural leaven of this new creation. Change is a distinct feature of my being because He is. My view has softened. Hard times are part of life; they are not hard lessons that denote wrong choice, slow choice, passive choice, or refusal of choice. This new heart responds favorably to His love – every time. Submission and obedience are a natural response to being loved.
The Lord is the Inborn Teacher in my heart and I learn by observing His life in me. I am watching Him integrate the role of the teacher, lesson, and student. This union is making it easier to resist the old thought pattern that separates me from the Teacher and from the lesson I am already in the process of learning.
Many things add mystery to paradox. I have no need to be taught and yet I continue to learn; my source of learning is internal and yet external sources provide lessons. Higher education begins when I understand outside sources are not my teacher since they have no power to cause me to learn. Learning is a gift received in and through my union with Christ. There’s never a lesson waiting to be taught, only a life of learning to be spontaneously lived – in peace and joy and in the absence of fear.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest,and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Psalms 65:4 (KJV)
He just reminded me . . . and I finally came here to read your latest post.
Once again, my spirit leaps at the sound of His Voice.
I’m remembering when He told me what ‘my part’ is . . . “Your part is to be witness of My Glory. . . You get to watch Me work!” Each time I SEE Him is an increase of His twinkling of His Eyes in me, granting me one more beautiful glimpse and peek of His Kingdom within . . . you, me, others. I am always so blessed with the fruit He produces in you Susan . . . Master Gardener that He is. The pen of a ready writer whose ink is the essence of His Spiritual Wisdom. Be with Him as He is with you. . . always.