Take a Seat, Dear Heart
Well, looking over my previous posts from the depths of the MVD is a reflection into a most ungrateful heart. And what is at the heart of ungrateful compaining? I need look no further than my brothers and sisters, the Israelites, wandering in the desert: unbelief.
For me, it is unbelief in the goodness of God. And when I see this, I have a choice. Do I glory in the cross of Christ? Or do I, in utter futility and pride, try to "fix up" my own unbelieving heart?
"There is a significant difference between conviction brought about by the Spirit and self~condemnation brought about by the Accuser as he acts on my pride. Conviction of sin draws me away from myself and toward God; it frees me to repent, grants me sorrow over offending my King, and floods me with relief in knowing that his smile still rests upon me. It eventuates in my loving Jesus more. Paul's words from Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," bestow great relief on my soul.
Self~condemnation, on the other hand, draws me down into myself and away from God. It makes me afraid and distrustful of him. It entraps me in unrelenting self~loathing and unbelief. It makes my heart cold toward the Lord; he's seen as a harsh taskmaster, a cruel tormenter. It makes me think of my Savior the way I should think of my enemy, and this reversal brings a vicious glee to the Accuser. Jesus slips from preeminence and is replaced by my shattered image of myself. Self~condemnation doesn't make me love Jesus more, because it's not essentially about him. It's about me." ~ Elyse Fitzpatrick "Comforts from the Cross"
And so I hear my Savior say, over and over, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28~30
...and by the way, my son did pass his driving test :o).
For me, it is unbelief in the goodness of God. And when I see this, I have a choice. Do I glory in the cross of Christ? Or do I, in utter futility and pride, try to "fix up" my own unbelieving heart?
Self~condemnation, on the other hand, draws me down into myself and away from God. It makes me afraid and distrustful of him. It entraps me in unrelenting self~loathing and unbelief. It makes my heart cold toward the Lord; he's seen as a harsh taskmaster, a cruel tormenter. It makes me think of my Savior the way I should think of my enemy, and this reversal brings a vicious glee to the Accuser. Jesus slips from preeminence and is replaced by my shattered image of myself. Self~condemnation doesn't make me love Jesus more, because it's not essentially about him. It's about me." ~ Elyse Fitzpatrick "Comforts from the Cross"
And so I hear my Savior say, over and over, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28~30
...and by the way, my son did pass his driving test :o).
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