One Thing that is Certain
If someone were to ask you, ‘What is the one thing in life that is certain?’ you would have to answer, ‘The love of Christ.’ – Brennan Manning
This truth is the one thing that helps me the most in life. When I start to get out-of-whack with hopes and expectations in people or ideas, God brings me back to this truth – the one thing in life that is certain is the love of Christ. Not parents, not family, not friends. Not knowledge, not adventure, not money. Not self-understanding, not significant others, not possibilities. The foundation of my life must be the love of Christ or I risk being tossed about by the storms that come or even a slight, beautiful breeze that gently turns my head in another direction.
My life phrase for 2013 is “Enjoy Me!”. I’ve discovered that the biggest part of making this a reality is trusting God. I must have a child-like trust that God is who God says He is and that God will do what He says He will do. In ruthlessly trusting God, I will be freed to truly enjoy God and our life together as we love one another and others.
There is absolutely nothing easy about what I just typed. I don’t have an easy 3 step plan to fully trusting God and I think that is the whole point. It seems to be more of a daily surrendering to God as I shift from making self-conscious efforts to be good to allowing myself to be loved as I am. It is a daily choice to sit quietly in His presence and fix my eyes on Him because I love Him. And under his gaze, God transfigures me into His likeness allowing my life to shine brighter and more beautiful as He fills me.
Maybe one day I won’t have to will this each day. Maybe one day it will be so knitted into my soul that I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Until then, I am grateful for every thing or person that falls short of my expectations because it reminds me of the one thing that is certain – the love of Christ.
Abba, I surrender my will and my life to you today, without reservation and with humble confidence for you are my loving Father. Set me free from self-consciousness, from anxiety about tomorrow, and from the tyranny of the approval and disapproval of others, that I may find joy and delight simply and solely in pleasing you. May my inner freedom be a compelling sign of your presence, your peace, your power and your love. Let your plan for my life and the lives of all your children gracefully unfold one day at a time. I love you with all my heart, and I place all my confidence in you, for you are my Abba. Amen. – Brennan Manning
