Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible)
20) I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
My drive time, is my time to commune with God and to place Him at the head of my day, and at the close of my day. I have worship music that I play. I am dedicated to get myself in a state of consecration to face the day, and to go into another phase of my day. As I listened to Tonex's song "Lord Make Me Over," the other morning, I got a sense that is was not in the making but in the crucifixion and the dying that I was finding life and abundance of joy and peace. This past year I wrestled with so many events in my life, although constantly praying, I still was fighting what was happening. It was only when I decided to lay down and die that I felt myself live again. It is as if God wanted me to see that dying to self was not about sustaining life it was about losing my life. It has become as our Pastor says, "confronting me," and letting those things whither up and die. Just as a tree has branches and twigs and leaves that are unhealthy that will wither and die because the tree is sustaining it's self by killing off what is harmful, God living in us ( if He is in control) will kill off the the unhealthy stuff so that there is room for His Holy and fettered Spirit to abide. But we must be a willing participant, we must allow death to come and consume those things that keep us from God abiding in us and being seen through us.
I have read a book a few times called "Hinds Feet On High Places," and in this book the main character wants something from the Great Shepherd ( Jesus), so she must do something that she has never done before, she must allow herself to be sacrificed and during this process, God removes her heart and replaces it with His. How many of us can say that we are willing to allow US, our dreams, aspirations, thoughts, rights, privileges and demands to be crucified in order for God to be glorified and get the glory out of our lives? In theory probably all of us would say we want that, but probably not many would have really let God do the crucifying. Nor have we, willingly given ourselves over to a death that allows us to say "never the less Lord not my will but yours be done." We say we want God to engulf our lives and overshadow us with His Glory, but that means giving up "us" to be with Him. Just as the Priest were sanctified, consecrated and set apart and the life they had planned left, in order for them to be committed to the office of a priest. This is the same for us that really desire God to rise up big in us and to live through us and be seen in us.
When Jesus died on the cross He died a spirit in human flesh, when He rose, He rose, flesh embodied and enveloped by God's Spirit. Living for you has it's temporary joys, but letting Him live through you has it's eternal rewards and unspeakable joys. Isn't about time you laid down and died, so that He ( Christ ) can live? Your Cross awaits you, for without a crucifixion there will be no resurrection! Think on these things!
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