Vessel Living

The greatest places in our lives of faith are by a worldly standpoint dangerous, outside our comfort zone, don’t add up or make sense and LOSS occurs. We lose friends’ support, family support and even places of worldly position or honor. However, God sets up and deposes–His will cannot be thwarted. Our position may be as Esther’s for such a time as this or it may be the widow’s last meal with her son before God sent his prophet Elijah. God’s intervention and intention in both situations, in every situation really, are secure and sure.

I asked myself this question: If I had to lose all and gain Christ at my points of greatest weakness (my children, husband, family or friends, even secure things like my home), would I choose to? Could I be a martyr of the faith and NOT deny Jesus as my Savior? Must I think about such things or must I WALK it out everyday, knowing not only Him as my Refuge, but also as my Sovereign? I have heard Beth Moore call it the greater “yes” of Christ. My choices do not have to be conceived in my mind and carried out, but they should be conceived in the mind of Christ and applied to my heart. My willingness to obey and authenticity in carrying out these steps are vital to living victoriously.

I do not have to initiate or come up with my calling! Remember Christ promises to give us the words when we stand before our accusers. The simplicity of it all is that whatever God has for us to do–He will do it. It’s called vessel living. He pours in me, I pour out. I do not pour in. I do, however, need to spend time in His Word and practice His Presence. That means that I am simply acknowledging in my heart and mind that He is always present with me. He is near.

I guess I have all this on my mind, because this Christian walk is hard….sometimes, we make it harder by trying to be so together and in-control. He is in control. I am not.

As I read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom–truly one of my heroes of the faith, I thought as I read, she believed everything was safe in her life and routine and didn’t know her world would be turned upside down. She was in the center of God’s will for her life, and she lost those dearest to her on this earth. God provided a way, though. Did you hear that? She lost everything and everyone that was dear, except Jesus. He was enough. He is enough. Indeed, He is everything!

So if our country one day becomes like Corrie’s Holland, we will be okay. We can walk it out in victory and with great joy…just like Paul and Silas in prison. I don’t think God intends for us to look like we have it all together. I think He wants for us to walk in trust. And sometimes, that means we will lose everything, but Him. He is enough. This world is not our home, but He went to prepare a place for us…and it is GOOD.