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Deutsche Version | Wiki Start | Topics Collection viii
Falling Back? ...
Monday, Feb 1, 2016. There are times in our life where we experience the presence of God. There are times where we move forward, where we realize that the kingdom Jesus talks about is reality, and that the best we can do is to live in it, to trust him, to walk with him! But then, there are times where we fall back …
Old habits …
We can fall into old habits. For example, we rely on our own strength, we believe that we are something because we are good, intelligent, gifted. But we are not. We are something because God, the creator and source of the universe, love us. We are something because of his mercy. He gave us all we have, all our possessions, all our gifts and talents, all our ability. He is the giver. And life as a whole is a gift!
We can fall into old habits, we can stick to the riches and things in this world. Nothing against using things here, nothing against work and effort. But life is more, and as long as we take our main value from within this world, we are far away from true life, far away from God!
He loves us unconditionally. And he wants us to move forward with him, in his love! We cannot stay back as if nothing happened, as if he would not be the source and center of this world. We need to let go things, truly let go. And we need to focus on his agenda, on his goals - filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus talks about this in Luke 9:
Looking Ahead …
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9, 57ff)
People have come to quite diverse conclusions for their own life, what this means: putting your hand to the plow. It could be mission work either in your own or in another country. It could be taking responsibility in the church. It could be to take care of some people, to spread the good news, to love by practical help … Even more diverse are the steps to let go, to look ahead, but not to look back. Some have given up their old job, others stay there, as the apostle Paul demands it. This is individual - if you ask yourself, you will quickly see where you look back, and where you need to move ahead!
I feel drawn into prayer, to come to the Lord and to ask him to help me. I feel that I need his help, to go his way. I cannot do it without him, I cannot live like him, and I need his help on many layers, for many steps, in all parts of my life! Lord, please help me, please have mercy on me, please be my shield and my strength! Amen (RWEP) ... more texts