We have an unprecedented opportunity right now to be the Body of Christ in the midst of division, turmoil, and suffering. But how? O Master, let me walk with Thee.
I often say that my job description is to put someone’s hand in the hand of Jesus and get out of the way. That's what I'm trying to do. I teach the Word and come alongside believers to facilitate deeper and stronger life-giving connections with the Lord.
When it all gets too overwhelming, I keep going back to Jesus over and over. I will never forget being at a (Christian) conference when a woman said, “You’re one of those people who thinks we need Jesus, aren’t you?” Why, yes. Yes, I am.
I know people who have gone through unbelievable trials and suffering. At the end of the day—and for some, at the end of their life--it all comes back to “Jesus loves me. This I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me.” Profound simplicity. Simple profundity. A child can understand it, but it will take the rest of my life to work it out and walk it out. How can I serve God and love people with my head, hands, and heart?
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘What commandment is the foremost of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
I can’t do the second without the first. I can’t love God unless I genuinely know Him. How can I know God apart from Jesus? What does it mean for me to love my neighbor? How do I care for the widow, orphan and others who are vulnerable? I certainly don't have that down yet. So, I need to intently gaze at Jesus, learn from Jesus, listen to Jesus, and follow Jesus to learn his “unforced rhythms of grace (as Eugene Peterson phrases it).
The Christian life can be very hard. It is sometimes trench warfare. The only person who can truly live that Christian life is Jesus. I'm so tired of the name-calling, toxicity, venom, infighting, and attacks. I need to be sure that I'm choosing my battles wisely and fighting the right evil. I can learn from selected people, listen to people who agree with me, and follow people who claim to have all the answers, or I can run things past the God Only Wise.
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13-15) Hmmm. Do not bite and devour one another, but instead serve one another through love? Sounds crazy, but it just might work.
I know for certain I do not have all the answers. No one would listen to me even if I did. So, I will keep teaching about Jesus, and pointing to Him.
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-15)
We’re studying Matthew in the Psalm One Bible Study so we can really take a good long look at Jesus and the Kingdom of God. The Sermon on the Mount is kicking my tail. Yowza. Jesus is stepping on my toes and getting all up in my business as He unpacks what life in the Kingdom really looks like. Mere information is not going to cut it. I can only follow Jesus with transformation.
Echoing in my head…
O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free
Tell me Thy secret, help me hear
The strain of toil, the fret of care
Teach me Thy patience, still with Thee
In closer, dearer company
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong
In truth that triumphs over wrong
O Master let me walk with Thee
In closer, dearer company
O Master let me walk with Thee
Let me walk with Thee
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way
In peace that only Thou canst give
With Thee, O Master, let me live
We will be known by the fruit of our lives. We have so many opportunities right now to be Jesus in the world. Master, teach me how to walk it out.
With His love and mine,
Linda