Not my Table?

A friend came by today [when the sky was clear of snow] and read to me from God's Word. We were sharing afterward and she said, "I just want to make sure that I don't have any unconfessed sin in my life." 

Our relationship is long and close so I'm well aware of how deep her commitment is to confess every sin before the Father to receive His promised forgiveness.  1 John 1:9

Her comment reminded me of a meaningful conversation I had online yesterday. I was messaging with a friend when he wrote, "I don't want to be the Peter who renounces Christ when things get hard." 

Even without reading the words he typed, I know this young man's heart. It is filled with ardor [go ahead and look it up] to be faithful to The Savior. 

These intense convictions shared in the midst of godly fellowship made me wonder. Do I carry such a singular devotion in my spiritual life?

Yes, it's there. Dear LORD, please make me "mature and complete"*. 

The more I think about my friends' statements, the more I find myself thanking and praising God. There are a lot of reasons to do that on Thanks-giving Eve, but here are three fresh ones from me.

1. God knows His own, conforming my long-time friend into the likeness of His Son, our Savior. There will be heartache, but it's impossible for any of us to ignore Him.

2. God is faithful, nurturing and discipling my young friend toward the calling He's placed on his life. There will be ups and downs, but it's impossible for the chosen to fall away.

3. God is sovereign, arranging every aspect of my life to develop maturity. There will be lively and lonely seasons, but it's impossible for the justified to avoid growth.

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."  Romans 8:30

I'm delighted as I grasp the Truth. It's not up to my lady friend to chase down every sin that might be hiding in a corner. It's not up to the young man to be hyper-vigilant about every breath he takes. It's not up to me to hold a measuring stick to every moment of my day. 

We do need to be diligent in our walk with Christ. It is not a casual way of life. But none of us need to be on a campaign to purify ourselves. That's God's job and He does it perfectly. 

I am totally thankFUL for God's Word. Whenever I need to find my way out of a confusing jumble or a simple wonder the Truth provides the stronghold and foundation I need to make sense of life. For that matter, the Truth causes peace and rest to engulf my heart and mind. 

How about you? 
Do you find yourself returning to a basic commitment that drives your spiritual life? 
If so, perhaps like my friends and me it's time to stop the striving and 
rest in God's provision to meet it. 
What would it feel like if we agreed to let the Father work to meet the exact goal and purpose of our lives?

*from James 1:4

My friend Lori Roeleveld told me I could hijack the song from her blog today, One Microscopic Zygote of Thanksgiving. Make a visit.