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Time Alone with Him…

It’s been a long time since I wrote.

I have been too busy running and running, trying to finish this and that – so muddled up that even while praying, my mind was distracted with things to do.

Blogging also kept getting postponed.

God has been prompting me during the last week to get things in order. So finally, today I was able to focus. My time with God this morning was more fruitful and helped me analyse my feelings and see the futility of messing up my mind with insignificant concerns. They can wait. Time with and for God are more important. The rest can wait and happen as and when they should.

Surprisingly, the article below that I read today is also about time alone with God and reminded me about my priorities and how more focussed time will help God do His work in me.

When I prayed today, I realised how much I had missed this time with God where my mind was for Him rather than running wild about pending work issues. I used to feel so content every morning after my time with God, assured that He is in charge.

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that it's time I got myself back into my well organised life starting with my time with you focussed on you alone so I can listen to your guidance. Thank you for the peace and assurance you give us. Thank you for bearing with me during my quick prayers, during times when my thoughts were elsewhere during prayer time. Thank you for holding on to me when I seemed distant. I don’t know what I would have done if you had just let me go in my own way without your support and prompting. Thank you so much Oh Lord Jesus!

Have You Ever Been Alone With God?
When they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples. MARK 4:34
Our Solitude with Him. Jesus does not take us alone and expound things to us all the time; He expounds things to us as we can understand them. Other lives are parables. God is making us spell out our own souls. It is slow work, so slow that it takes God all time and eternity to make a man and woman after His own purpose. The only way we can be of use to God is to let Him take us through the crooks and crannies of our own characters. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We do not know envy when we see it, or laziness, or pride. Jesus reveals to us all that this body has been harbouring before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look in with courage?
We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves, it is the last conceit to go. The only One Who understands us is God. The greatest curse in spiritual life is conceit. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we shall never say — “Oh, I am so unworthy,” because we shall know we are, beyond the possibility of stating it. As long as we are not quite sure that we are unworthy, God will keep narrowing us in until He gets us alone. Wherever there is any element of pride or of conceit, Jesus cannot expound a thing. He will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart. He will reveal inordinate affection — things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. We listen to many things in classes, but they are not an exposition to us yet. They will be when God gets us alone over them.
From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

It is not what a man does that is of final importance, but what he is in what he does. The atmosphere produced by a man, much more than his activities, has the lasting influence.
Wisdom from Oswald Chambers, From Baffled to Fight Better, 51 L

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Am I humble enough?

[Christ Jesus] made himself nothing.
Philippians 2:7

While reflecting on the devotional below from Our Daily Bread, I remembered the time when my pride led to a lot of stress at work especially when I was working in Kuwait.

I had this feeling that I was better than some of my colleagues who were given greater consideration due to their nationality. This made it difficult for me to accept insignificant work from them which were not suitable to my post, but I was forced to do since that was the work culture there.

At other times, I generally had a feeling that I was good at work and did not consider some of my colleagues capable of doing as well.

This attitude led to a lot of mental stress and complexes. I did not need to think like that. I could have done my work as I would have done for God and ignored any other issues. I could have also considered that all of us have something positive given by God irrespective of our differences.

Even now, I have the habit of arguing thinking that I am right when it is equally possible that the other person is right.

Our Lord Jesus humbled Himself so much for us when He had all the power in the world. He had no ego, pride or issues when He was mocked at and crucified.

When He humbly accepted His situation, how silly it was for me to stress over such petty issues.

Thank you Lord for showing this to me. Help me to change my attitude and to be humble always.

As the American Revolution concluded with England’s improbable surrender, many politicians and military leaders maneuvered to make General George Washington a new monarch. The world watched, wondering if Washington would stick to his ideals of freedom and liberty when absolute power was within his grasp. England’s King George III saw another reality, however. He was convinced that if Washington resisted the power pull and returned to his Virginia farm, he would be “the greatest man in the world.” The king knew that the greatness evidenced in resisting the allure to power is a sign of true nobility and significance.
Paul knew this same truth and encouraged us to follow Christ’s humble way. Even though Jesus was “in very nature God,” he “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Philippians 2:6). Instead, He surrendered His power, became “a servant” and “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” (vv. 7-8). The One who held all power surrendered every bit of it for the sake of love.
And yet, in the ultimate reversal, God exalted Christ from a criminal’s cross “to the highest place” (v. 9). Jesus, who could demand our praise or force us to be obedient, laid down His power in a breathtaking act that won our worship and devotion. Through absolute humility, Jesus demonstrated true greatness, turning the world upside down.
REFLECT & PRAY
Thank You, Jesus, that in Your most destitute and (seemingly) disgraceful moment, You demonstrated Your true power and greatness.
By Winn Collier

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Appearances and Reality

Before I start, I would like to thank you for reading my post. I have always had this urge to do something for God. I am not good at public speaking. So a blog to share my thoughts seemed to be a good idea. Since I am not sure if my writings can be interesting or useful, I have been hesitant to write, sometimes lazy also, but then I decided that if I can touch even one person’s life it will be something that I am able to do for God.

Thank You!!

When I started a new job as Management Representative, my new colleagues seemed to be very friendly. I was comfortable and happy. I was under the impression that any work related instructions that I gave were accepted without any personal prejudice since I was just communicating on behalf of the management.

One day one of my colleagues who was planning to resign told me to be careful. It seemed that the others who had already established their own comfortable routine did not want me there and were planning on ways to pressure me to resign. To cut the story short, I held on for three years since I had the support of the management, but I had to eventually resign since getting uncooperative people to do their work was very stressful mentally.

It’s amazing how appearances can be so deceptive. I have seen many instances where outwardly, people seem very friendly and loving, but inside they are filled with jealousy and spite.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9

I have a facebook friend who is very kind, sweet and friendly. All the people who meet her say that she is very innocent and nice. She has unfriended me, but still behaves lovingly and guilelessly.

There are many similar examples. Seeing them, I became afraid to even talk openly to people. I generally talk a lot. When people ask me a personal question I generally give all details. However, if I ask some of my relatives a question, they give a one-word answer, cut me off and then start asking me questions.

There was a time when I used to be all muddled up and even afraid to meet or talk to people, not knowing whom to believe.

Now I have accepted that people are different. I just need to be genuine. There is no need to analyse anyone’s intention. I am not anyone to judge others. God knows the inner workings of our hearts. He knows me and that’s all I need to keep in mind.

Thank you Lord Jesus that you are genuine and your love never fails. I do not have to be afraid since I know that you are with me.

Let me conclude with the following quote from Oswald Chambers:

Sincerity means that the appearance and the reality are exactly the same.