Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Labor (04/19/04)
TITLE: Resting, the Real Labor By L.M. Lee 04/20/04 |
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Admitting my total dependence on Him to gift me, lead me, instruct me, correct me and work through me.
Believing that through Him all things are possible despite my limitations, failings, pasts and lack of trust in Him.
Obediently learning how to walk by faith especially when I can not see my way clearly.
Resting in the completed work of Christ, knowing it is by His grace I am saved, through faith. I can not add or take away anything; I can only rest in the love of my God for me.
That is the LABOR I am called to…a labor of resting in the completed work of Jesus at the Cross. But it is so easy to get caught up in “stuff” and busyness – telling myself I am laboring for my Lord. Laboring until I burn-out, falling down frustrated, angry at God for my mess.
He never called me to works. He called me to Him!
What joy, mercy, peace and assurance I have when I am resting in Him.
My dear friend Cyndi Temperato gave me a beautiful illustration. A flower simply blooms. Its very presence attracts bees. When I am resting in the Lord, blooming in His love for me, bees will be attracted. Those lives I desperately want to see changed by the power of God; will. Not because of my frantic labors to bring them into the Kingdom, but because the sweet alluring fragrance of the Lord is so evident in my life.
10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work,
just as God did from His.
11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest,
so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest
who has gone through the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
15For we do not have a high priest who is unable
to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted in every way,
just as we are--
yet was without sin.
16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4
Lord, let me never lose sight of You. Let my labor be simply to maintain my intimate relationship with You, trusting that You will complete the work You began in me…and others. Amen.