Keep Recognizing Jesus
This passage is taken from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest. It is exactly what I was struggling with and needed to hear. God knows everything, including the right timing. This smacked me right in the middle of the forhead. Here it is.
"...Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid..." (Matthew 14:29-30)
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn't see them at first. He didn't consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him and "walked on the water." Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn't our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter's continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, "why did you doubt?" (14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, "Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately - totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything - by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness - being willing to risk your all.
Here it goes...
"...Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid..." (Matthew 14:29-30)
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn't see them at first. He didn't consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him and "walked on the water." Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn't our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter's continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, "why did you doubt?" (14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, "Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?" Be reckless immediately - totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything - by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness - being willing to risk your all.
Here it goes...
posted by Megan at 8:51 AM
6 Comments:
did they have you read "If You Want To Walk On Water You Have To Get Out Of The Boat?" It was required reading at Capernwray Hall - similar thoughts. I read it last year (the year before now??!! wow time flies)
good stuff. Not anything too new, but always good to remember - so that our focus is on what Christ can do, instead of the thing that makes us afraid or worried.
Funny thing, God speaking. He has spoken to me so clearly about things and I know his voice. In some areas, I have debated and wondered if he really did speak to me, but if I start to doubt the sound of his voice, I may as well chuck every thing I believe out the window. Oswald is right on.
You're in Australia!!! I bet its a lot colder than you thought it would be! Well I hope you enjoy the (second) best country in the world!
I am happy to hear you are are reading Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest. It is my devotional as well...
TheDrake
Great passage Megan... I know exactly what you're talking about!
Well thank you again for psting this Megan. I went back and read this post and then went back into Oswand Chambers book and read the devotions serounding this topic. it is so weird how God wants to show you things right at the right now. I have done this again even when I said I would not. I got worried once again about the futur and of course with my character I would.
I know I shouldn't be to hard on my self it will take time for God to mold me into a reckless follower but this is more of a reminder period showing me I am on the right track and to not worry about the human circumstances serounding me, because there is so much I do not know. For example, money is always an issue, and God reminded me today that He is in control with a little surprise. I got a letter today from my dad and his girfriedn with money for Carmen's Peru trip and on top of that my very delayed birthday money... 100 for the Peru trip and 100 dollars for me.
It's not so much what I will do with this money (probably save it since I need it) but that it was showing me he is in control and that even if I don't know where the finds will come in He does.
Even though I don't know all the answers and know all the details He already does. Thank you God that you are in control. Never let me be on the throne but to take up my cross and follow you.
I recomend the book "Follow Me"
Thank you Megan again for this.
TheDrake
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