Living In Full Surrender towards Eternity (LIFE)

At an impressionable age, I was swept off my feet by the latin phrase ‘Carpe Diem’ in the movie ‘Dead Poets Society’. Carpe Diem is translated as ‘seize the day’, and I didn’t think it was somewhat biblical until I read “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12), a reflective verse illustrating the necessity of taking stock of our lives.

Life is from God. It is limited and unknown in its duration. As realistic as it sounds, we can  find hope and choose to live life beautifully and in favour with God, our Maker. Indeed, we cannot choose and determine our exit, but we can purpose in our heart like Daniel and Ezra (Daniel 1:8) how we should live. It is ironic that we try to reap many short-term benefits in view of the future, at the expense of our final future (life after death).

I Shall Know Him

1 John 2:3-5 : Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

The word of God should be a part of us, woven into our everyday life. My dad often says ‘Christianity is a taught religion’. He usually stops there, and I infer based on its context. Recently he said that again, and he added, “You have to study, there’s no other way”. Attending Bible class is one way to know God’s word. Learning under an excellent teacher is an add-on bonus. However, these cannot replace your own time with God’s word and learning from it.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

‘Tasting’ is what you have to do for yourself. Studying the Word does not come naturally to anyone. It comes with doing it mindfully and persevering in it. You will find joy and comfort because your heart is there when you listen and read His word.

When we are reading His word, the intellect element is needful and important. But for true spiritual lives to grow, our hearts must be touched or pricked by His word, which will result in a change or a transformation. We cannot depend on the example of others to grow. Their lives can be an encouragement to us, but not a replacement for our relationship with God.

We are in this world, but not of this world (Romans 12:2). Spiritual ways, ideas, and values take deliberate effort and time before they feel natural.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)

Jeremiah 29:13 - And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Our heart is certainly a sought-after commodity. Satan wants it for sure. Guard your heart, draw near to God and be not double-minded in your ways. (James 4:8)

First Thing First

One of the things I have concluded about why obeying matters is because when we do, we are showing that ‘God matters to me’.  Ain’t we glad and happy when the staff in a restaurant remembers and delivers what we have requested?

When Naaman knew he had to dip into the Jordan river 7 times, he questioned the method and thought having Elisha to stand and call on God’s name, waving his hand, would be a better way to cure his leprosy.  He walked away in a rage but was persuaded and his leprosy was cured after he surrendered his will and obeyed God (2 Kings 5:10-14).

Jesus, being the son of God, lived a life of obedience to God (Hebrews 5:8). When Jesus was on earth, He showed us what obedience is and that it is needed to show that you love God. “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.” (John 14:31)

The walk of faith is a walk of tension and struggle. Struggling is real and it is OK as long as we do not give up trying to stay on course. We are more than conquerors and no one can separate us from the love of God except ourselves. (Romans 8:37-39)

What is your current relationship with God? Have you grown closer to Him or has He turned a stranger? If there is nothing going on thus far, I encourage you to know Him personally.

The Christian walk is an independent journey, yet not a lonely one. God has given us a spiritual family to bring us cheer and to cheer us on. God has not promised that the skies will always be blue, but He has promised that He will be with us everyday and all the way. May we have strength, courage, and a persevering heart to choose life that we may live (Deuteronomy 30:19, 31:8).

God bless.