My journal is very precious to me…and very private. I typed 3 other blogs this morning and wasn’t happy with any of them. I kept coming back to this…I need to share my journal page with you. My journal is filled with my private thoughts and things I get from the Lord. I write down the scriptures that encourage me and things He speaks right to my heart.
The Word inspires me. It refreshes me. It encourages my faith and trust in the Lord. But most of all, the Word CHALLENGES me…and I capture those challenges too, usually with tears, so I can grow and change and draw closer to the One who loves me so much!
Journal entry:
12/23/13
LET…
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! (Philippians 4:5-8)
I actually read this verse this morning to prep for my blog….reading how Jesus let go of his rights and privileges as God to come as a baby. Merry Christmas to me! And because He was born, He could live and die for me. I”m so glad He came. And lived. And died.
LET THIS SAME ATTITUDE AND PURPOSE AND HUMBLE MIND BE IN YOU…..Let denotes that I have a choice. I have to let it. Do I always let it? Sadly, no.
He had every attribute that made God God…all of the power and honor and dignity and glory and majesty. All of it. And He let go of all of it to come as a baby. To be tempted for me. To live His life 100% for me. To identify with me so He could die for me. How many times do I not live 100% for Him? I just slide into selfishness here or into grumbling there. How often do I think “What about me?” How often do I get testy and irritable? How often do I act UNChristlike? More than I want.
Father, Help me! Thank you for grace. Grace that doesn’t replace obedience but enables it. Faith that doesn’t replace repentance but enables it. Grace that doesn’t replace sacrifice but enables me to sacrifice it all for you. Help me lay it down even more for you. Help me to LET today so people can see you in me….(end journal entry)
I like to use the Word as a mirror. Just like I look into the mirror to check myself – does my hair need fixed? Does my makeup need fixed? Am I happy with the way I look? The answer is not always yes.
The Word is to be a mirror that we look into to check ourselves. Ourselves. Sometimes we don’t stop there, though, do we?
Sometimes we like to use it as a window to see what needs fixed in our spouse or our friends or our neighbors. Anyone want to say ouch? Go ahead. I did!
The Word is a mirror not a window. These precious truths are water to wash us and not stones to throw at our spouse or our neighbors.
The cool thing is…when we use it like a mirror, we won’t want to use it as a window or as stones. And if we are using it correctly as a mirror….we will be more and more like Him on this earth, and people will want what we have. They will be drawn to the grace and love and mercy that flows in us and to us and through us.
The miracle of Christmas is that Jesus laid it all down to be born as a baby to LIVE for us and DIE for us and offer us an amazing grace-filled mirror to gaze into so that we can be a living Christmas light all year round. Who’s ready to look in the mirror?
And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)