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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
I was like a child running through a pitch-black forest after sundown, being scratched by twigs as I passed, and terrified by the hoots of owls and howls of panthers, as I tried to make my way home. Only, I wasn¡¯t actually in a forest. Rather, I was being assaulted by my own fears, my own doubts, my own insecurities.

My friend and mentor told me she knew what the problem was. And she encouraged me to find it, by looking at Jeremiah 29:11 & 13: ¡°For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future¡¦.You will seek Me and you will find Me when you seek me with all your heart.¡±

I don¡¯t know exactly what my friend was thinking; she never told me. But from this verse came the realization that God has thoughts toward me that are good, and that I can know His thoughts if I seek Him with all my heart.

By this time, I had become very weary of my own thoughts. I was tired of being scared and worried and constantly putting my foot in my mouth. So the prospect of God actually giving me His good and wise thoughts was more than appealing.

After that, whenever I felt my mind racing, I asked God what His thoughts were. I was surprised and thrilled to find that He often gave them to me, and I was able to handle different situations that came up in my life with much greater confidence.

Because I wanted to know His thoughts, I also started to be curious and to seek the Scriptures as to what the ¡°mind of Christ¡± really was. I found part of the answer in Hebrews 5:8-9: His mind was and is one of perfect obedience to His heavenly Father. Not only that, but such complete obedience on His part has brought about both your salvation and mine!!

Because Jesus was and is perfectly obedient to His Father, He totally belongs to His Father. That¡¯s what makes Him holy.

When you and I seek God¡¯s thoughts with all our hearts, like Jesus, we will also be obedient. We will become more and more wholly His.

The condition is that we do so with all our hearts. Why does God require this sold-out attitude toward Him?

One answer, I¡¯ve found, is that He loves us passionately. He doesn¡¯t want to share us with the world, or with our flesh, or with anyone or anything else. He wants each of us all for Himself.

He wants us that much? It is a truth at which I marvel every day.

He wants us that much!! What better alternative is there, than to obey?
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This article has been read 1138 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Phyllis Inniss 
02/11/05
He does not want us to be sidetracked or we are likely to go astray. The only alternative is to stay tuned in to Christ. Good message.
Anna Blake
02/17/05
Christine, I was greatly encouraged! Thank you for your example.
Madonna Hooper
06/14/05
Christine

Just reading this now but a word in season indeed. I love the idea of asking God his thoughts. I'm going to use this so consider yourself used by God today! Also love your opening paragraph as it's a great description as to how fear and axiety can assail us. Thanks and keep writing. And thanks for your encouragement on my Going Up article :)
Madonna