One of the recent sermons featured Philippians 3:12  “but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”. Since we often make resolutions for the new year, why not make this a resolution- take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me. He encouraged us by saying that since God has taken hold of my life for a purpose, I’m going to make my purpose to take hold of His purpose. That’s the sweet spot for Christian living. 

The frustrating spot is trying to get God on my program. “God… it’s not working… I’m praying… this is a good thing… God you need to be doing this thing…. why isn’t it working out…”  

Trying to recruit God to our plan is frustrating. When we try this, we have it exactly backwards- essentially telling God to take hold of the things for which we took hold of Him.  

I have to admit to having done this. It’s painful to admit, but painful isn’t the point, true is the point. Focusing my efforts on trying to eliminate the pain without regard to whether or not I’m living something that’s true or false is just trying to treat the symptom, not the problem. I’m engaged in trying to fix this right now. But to be perfectly honest with myself, I was just unwilling to submit to the Lord in certain areas. As such, it has been a hindrance to my spiritual life… particularly my prayer life. I could try and ignore those areas for a short time, and pray around them, but after a certain point, the Lord would just come back and be like: so… what? You’re just going to ignore what I’m saying and then expect me to start answering your prayers? It doesn’t work like that. You need to deal with these issues and then we’ll go from there. 

I was particularly struck by some recent messages from James that challenged me: 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”  

God will give, but if you doubt, you should not expect to receive ANYthing from the Lord. That hit home. I say I trust in God, but when He tells me to do something, and I say- ’ No, I don’t want to do that because I think I won’t like it very much! ’, then clearly, I do NOT trust Him. I, in fact, DOUBT Him, and at that point, what makes me any different from a non-believer? As it was pointed out…. perhaps I should expect to receive nothing from Him… and maybe that even means salvation. After all, our faith is tested, and if I fail the test of faith, then it’s proving I don’t have faith. And it is by faith we are saved…. 

I don’t know if this is a conflation, but I decided I didn’t want to find out. Temporary lapses are one thing, but I was starting to build a habit…. and a lifestyle… of disobedience. The Lord had consistently warned me… and I knew it… and I kept ignoring Him.  

But all you can do is start from where you are. So I’m trying to make the requisite changes and listen to the Lord. It’s a new year, so why not resolve to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.