Recently, my Daniel/Revelation professor sent out an email to the class on directions for the week's assignments, but he included this encouragement...
The distinguishing marks of a Kingdom citizen are trustworthiness, diligence, and faithfulness. Daniel emulated the characteristics of God and it was acknowledged by even his enemies. God wants to use you in your family, business, education, and hobbies to bring glory to Him. First, however, you must resemble Him in your character. Ask the Lord today how He would describe your character. Wait patiently for His response. If there is any area that needs to be disciplined, then ask the Lord to chasten you. Under His tutelage and discipline, even your enemies will acknowledge the power of God working in your life.
I don't know about you, but I flinch a little when I think of this prayer. I mean...I do believe that my heart is wretched in its natural falleness and my "righteousness is as filthy rags" (Is 64:6), but I also tense up with the thought that God might reveal more of ME to me! That's scary!
Rewind...A few years ago I was exposed to an environment that was deeply narcissitic and manipulative. It took a very long time to recognize and the healing is still in progress. Yet one thing that I began to take away from that experience very early on is how easy it is to fall into the pit of control, using and dividing people for your own purpose.
One view of myself in His mirror at a time, God showed me the parts of my heart that were prone to this type of behavior -- He described my character to me -- and it absolutely terrified me. However, it was in that season of refinement that I learned to long for His reflection in a new and more special way than I every had before.
I began to examine my relationships and my attitude...I asked the Lord to "Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit." I begged Him not to "cast me out [but to] restore unto me the joy of His salvation." (Ps 51:10-12).
Fast forward...We have lived in our "new" house for almost two years now and I still had not hung up this mirror. While I was doing a little "spring" cleaning I remembered it was hidden in my closet. When I pulled it out my heart was immediately moved back to that long season in that difficult environment. A time where I felt as though my wings had been clipped and the wind knocked out of me. In that time, though, I had written this Scripture on a few different mirrors in our home to preach into my heart the pattern and promise of God instead of rehearsing my problems and failures in my head.
Isaiah 40 is a beautiful reminder to the Israelites that even though they have been stuck in exile for many years...and even though it was due to their sin they were sent their to begin with...He would not grow weary of them or forget them. He revealed HIS character to them showing that He had a perfect plan for them and if they would choose to trust and obey Him, they would would soar on His strength, courage, and perseverance.
Pause...As I think on this prayer that my Professor shared...and all that the Lord has done to reveal His wonderful, perfect character and attributes to me, I feel the flinch release. I can feel my heart let go of the fear of asking the Lord to take me deeper in relationship with Him so that I might more clearly hear His voice and be a reflection of His grace.
Has the Lord given you a chance to see something about yourself that He wants to free you from? What is your first reaction when He asks you to slow down and take a look? Are you willing to go let go of yourself and go through a process that will give you rest on His wings?
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