Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. – (Philippians 3:12, NIV)
I don’t mean that I am exactly what God want me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason He made me His. – (Philippians 3:12, ERV)
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have made it. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. – (Philippians 3:12, MSG)
When we come into a relationship with Christ, we are compelled to draw near to God and to seek Him to transform us to more clearly reflect His heart to the world. Because Jesus loves me so well, my hope is that I can love those around me in the same way. That being said, I am far from doing this completely and consistently like Him. My frustrations often get the better of me, and my thoughts toward those who are rude, mean, or disrespectful, are far from loving. Thankfully, each day is new and we are provided the opportunity to seek the Lord and allow Him to lead us throughout all of our encounters. As a middle school teacher, I am provided plenty of practice at choosing to love and see others through His lens. Some days, I can feel the progress that He is making in me, yet other days, I want to walk away from peopling, for my patience with poor choices diminishes. We are all a work in progress and I am so thankful that He loved me first and shows me again and again how great His love truly is. May we ever seek the Lord to show us and grow us in His loving kindness and grace, and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.
O Lord, You’ve shown us,
Your kindness and grace;
despite our failures,
You welcome, embrace.
Your love overflows,
as we choose to seek;
Your goodness made clear,
each day of the week.
Our purpose is plain,
You show us the way;
to love as You love,
throughout each new day.
Ever we fall short,
yet we can press on;
Your love won’t run out,
and grace makes us strong.
Strong to keep trying,
pursuing Your best;
loving as You love,
in You we are blessed.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and call us to do the same. Thank You that we are a work in progress and that each day is made new. Thank You that You do not give up on us when we fall short. Forgive us for each time that we do not love as You intended. Teach us to seek You and pursue Your very best. Lead us in Your love so that we might love others as You love us. Show us how to press on with purpose, for Your purposes for us are to love well in all that we say and do. Help us to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue You and Your purposes for us in all things and at all times. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. – Psalm 27:4
Revelations In Writing 