And it is not a good place to be. The sad thing is, I know better, yet here I am. The only way out is to once again focus on the Lord in prayer, and contemplate the place, plan and purpose on which my faith depends. It all comes back to that "vision" thing.Below, pulled from my archives, are excerpts of a devotion I wrote more than 10 years ago. Interesting how even now, it seems to have been written by someone else. Nevertheless, it still speaks, and I am listening.
A Call to Deep
To be a disciple, the follower of Christ cannot stay along the shore line wading in the shallow beginnings of faith. Rather, the Lord calls us to a deeper life, a life that requires us to explore the depths of God. The deeper life is a life of trust, obedience, and maturity. It is a life that promises amazing growth and adventure for those who are willing to put their entire trust and dependence upon the Father. Can you hear the Spirit calling you to the deeper life, a deeper faith?
Take a moment, and really yourself, "Am I satisfied with where I am in my faith?" ... Our relationship with Jesus must continually grow if it is to survive. The only way to grow is to go deeper. So where can we start?
My understanding of this Christian faith is based on the person of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. When I stop to consider my relationship with the Father, I also draw on what we'll call the three "P's" of the faith. The three P's of faith are PLACE, PLAN, and PURPOSE.
1. As children of God, we have a PLACE in God's Kingdom. We are each an important part of His Kingdom, and we belong to this Kingdom.
2. God has a PLAN for His kingdom (and each of us, individually). I believe that God has a plan for His Kingdom. He also had something specific in mind when He created each of us.
3. In this PLAN, we have a PURPOSE. God has a role for each of us to play in accomplishing His plans for His Kingdom.
If you believe in Jesus, you have a PLACE where you belong in God's Kingdom. God has a PLAN, and you have a unique PURPOSE in that PLAN. Your role is to bring God glory, that you might become the salt and light to a culture bent on destruction. If you understand this truth, then you can better understand what Jesus wants you to do. ...
Where are you in your faith journey? Do you know your destination? Are you looking for the prize, a deeper level of commitment, a deeper faith? What are you doing to get there? Are you asking, seeking and knocking? Are you praying like you should? Are you digging into God's Word? What are your expectations?
"As the deer pants for streams of water
So my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2, NIV)
"Deep calls to deep at the sound of Thy waterfalls ..." (Psalm 42:7, NASB).
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