Strength is Found in the Laying Down

KP writes:

As believers we have chosen to live in an upside down, inside out kingdom. The Kingdom of God does not make sense to our natural mind and it is definitely contrary to the ways of the world. (Even good things, not just bad things)

So today I am thinking particularly about ability, strength....you know, what you can do with the gifts and talents you have been given or have developed, connections you have made with people, resources you have secured or can acquire. I don't know if you have noticed it or not but the Lord has a way of emptying us of ourselves so that we are at a place of humility and utter dependence upon Him. Like if He doesn't show up, I am doomed kind of dependence and humility!

We were singing in worship today the phrase, "There's only one way to rely on God's strength. It's by laying down My own". This really struck me!!! Psalms 84:5 even states, "How BLESSED is the man whose strength is in Thee..." Our culture teaches us contrary to this concept! The western mindset is that weakness is to be avoided in every area of our lives at all cost.(and if there is weakness, cover it up, hide it, put on a facade....don't even get me started on that one....a topic for another time) Bottom line, weakness is a disgrace in our culture.

However, the truth is that if we are to be used of God, and BLESSED by God, and even be intimately in love with Him, our strength must be in Him. No wonder we see so much failure and burn out in the world and in the church.

Life is found in the letting go. Strength is found in the laying down. When we find ourselves at that humble place, we run to Him. We seek Him. We intimately pursue Him, which is what He wanted all along. And, to be perfectly honest it is the only thing that will truly satisfy! Once we have laid down the performance 'thing' and pride is dealt with (for this trip around the ole mountain!) then we are at a place where we can love Him and be used by Him, in His strength.

So, here I am laying down my own...yet again.

Love ya,
Kristian