Consecration

I apologize for the delay in getting this post up. I know I usually have these posted sometime in the morning.

When I read this chapter, chapter 5 in Steps to Christ I got goosebumps. It answered every question that I have ever asked myself in my Christian walk. There were so many concepts in this chapter that spoke to me, to my mind, my heart, and my soul. So this week I just want to pull out a few ideas from the chapter because it expresses in words the thoughts I have, so much better than I ever could. And please feel free to share any thoughts that you may have.

"The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought." I find this statement frightful and yet comforting at the same time. Frightful because it confirms that the struggle is the hardest one I'll ever face and I have to wonder will I come out ahead. Will I conquer this battle? However, it is also a very comforting statement because it tells me that this struggle, this internal battle is normal. Surrendering and letting go of self is supposed to be a struggle and it's going to be the hardest thing that we will ever have to do. So, if I can do this, if I can conquer self, I can do anything. Isn't that comforting to know?

"The government of God ... appeals to the intellect and the conscience." This is so important for me to understand. God is not looking for blind submission, he wants me to make a conscious decision to follow him. A decision not based on coercion but based on reason and understanding. God wants us to weigh everything out, search out the truth, and follow because we know in our hearts and in our minds that we want to! This is why I'm starting over; trying to follow God not because I have to or because I'm supposed to but because I want to.

"Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the golden chain that binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility if the idol of others." Yes many talk about the love of money, and its binding hold on most. But I see myself being bound by reputation and worldly honor. I don't believe that the author is saying there is anything wrong with these things. The problem is when we choose money, reputation, or freedom over God. When I have to make a choice between my reputation, worldly honor, and God which would I choose? Would I choose God? Yes a choice will have to be made but I can also take comfort in the fact that God loves and care for me he would never "require (me) to give up anything that it is for (my) best interest to retain." Everything God does for us is only and always for our good.

This last part is a paragraph that just meant so much to me that I want to share it one here. It gave me so much peace about where I am on my spiritual journey and maybe you will connect with it too.

" Many are inquiring, 'How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?' You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him."

We just have to make choice. What will it be?