Stepping Out Of The Way

Stepping out of the way is one of the hardest things to do. Even in our converted state, we always fall short in this area. We have always been vulnerable to the calls of the wicked flesh. We have this conceited idea that we should be the main character and we should be "manning" the work with our bare hands.

Scripture teaches us the other way. Whenever we are to do something, we are to do it by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of our God. The work of salvation and regeneration is not really our work. Even our ministries are not really ours. They belong to Him and exist for Him. We do not have the right to take the credit from God's work. We are also not to boast about our achievements lest it be things of the Spirit. The glory is to God and we are but slaves to His will and power.

We are not the main actors. Neither do we direct the play behind the curtains. These areas belong to the Sovereign God. We are stage cleaners. We prepare the stage but it is God who makes the show. We are sowers of the seeds amongst men but is God who makes them grow. We do not alter the seeds of Truth to fit the soil. We just sow what God has given us in its fullness and leave the rest to Him. However, we do so with genuine love and kindness. We preach not out of arrogance but out of love and compassion.

In our own earthly minds, we have been led to believe that Christianity is all about getting what we can. Jesus is not an addition in our life. We are called to empty our hearts and put Christ alone as the center of everything else. Christ is not just the first in our lives. He is the first and the last.

Stepping out of the way is humbling but at the same time spiritually rejuvenating. It is not a secret to health or wellness, rather, a means to get closer to Christ. The only way we could be closer with God is if we approach Him with a repentant but joyful heart knowing that He has paid the price with His precious blood. Our Lord purchased us. We are no longer in bondage with sin nor are we still under the wrath of the Holy One. We are now prisoners of His infinite grace. We are bond servants to our Master, the One true God of all creation.

Our lifestyles should be that of slaves, seeking only the pleasure of our Master and constantly living in communion with Him. This is His show and His stage. He doesn't need us. The only reason why we are given a great privilege is so we can experience His awesome love even more. More so, He is also a God who finds pleasure in uplifting the foolish and embarrassing the wise so that His Name will be glorified to its fullness. The Lord asked Gideon to reduce the soldiers he has so that they would be totally outnumbered in the battlefield and God's sheer power might be known among the nations. He would do the same to us if necessary. He will cut down the things in our lives that reduce His glory so that we may know that He alone is worthy of all praise. I learned this the hard way and I praise God for such agonizing years. Truly He is a sovereign God and He alone knows what is right.

We are servants of the Most High. Every aspect of our life should be built around this reality. We are slaves not to the world but to righteousness. We have been justified, having declared right before God by His Son who became the atoning sacrifice to our sins. There's no sense in going back to our fleshly desires nor is there any sense in going back to our idols. Having seen the glory of the One on the cross, what can we do but bow and worship for the rest of our lives? And indeed we shall for God is faithful and true. He will finish the work He began in us.

Have a blessed day!