Just Wrap Me In Cellophane, Pink Please!

(photo from shihocraftscafe.wordpress.com)

Do we ask? Generally, no; we jump in with both feet – flesh and all.

Quite frankly, most of what I blog about relates to me, personally, whether you’d think so or not. I uncover my flesh for the entire world to see. In my own way, I guess, I’m creating my own version of intimacy with you all. If you’ve read many of my posts, you know my favorite definition of the word intimacy is: in-to-me-see. Bluntly put, I’m allowing you to see into me, whether you reciprocate or not.

I’m not cloaked with a heavy mantle, I sit here wrapped in cellophane (pink please). If you look back over my posts you’ll see a picture of how I’m growing in Christ. I’m not light years ahead of the game. I may be right beside you, perhaps one step ahead or a whole block or two behind.

We all take certain steps faster than others and we all come up against those steps that stir up great hesitation. It’s not a race. I rejoice that we’re walking together in The Way!

(photo mine)

We’re not quite as self-centered as we used to be.

We’re not quite as controlling.

We’re not quite as arrogant.

We’re not quite as mean.

We’re a little more loving.

We’re a little more giving.

We’re a little more patient.

We’re a little more faithful.

We pray. We get into God’s Word more often and more diligently, more intently and with greater understanding.

Yet, we can be caught dragging our feet. Me? Sometimes I trip on them, yes – both of them!

Do we ask? Do I ask? Not always. Why? Grrrr…..

Too often I want to jump in and fix things or give my incredible words of wise instruction before even asking what God wants done in a given situation. I presume to know what God’s doing in everyone else’s life….. (Surely I’m not alone in this, right?)

Praise God that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” (Romans 8:1)

(photo mine)

I need to be asking what God wants of me, every single time; nothing more and nothing less. More from me won’t make things better, I might be intruding on what God’s trying to do in the lives of others.

Sometimes God wants others to step up. If I was a millionaire and every time a need arose in the lives around me, and I met that need, no one else in my circle would learn to give. They’d get mighty good at the receiving part, though.

Sometimes the words I speak into a situation are the last things the person in need wants to hear. God knows their frame of mind and what they need to hear and when; I do not always know that. As a matter of fact, in and of myself, I probably never know that.

Whether it’s words or actions required on my part, I need God’s instruction before I open my mouth.

Eventually, we’ll come to a place in Christ where we’ll hear His voice even before our own. But, the God kind of self-control and humility must come into play. If we allow the Holy Spirit of God to live inside of us, we need to recognize that He’s not a decoration on the walls of our heart. He needs to be granted our permission to speak and move through us!

(picture from becuo.com)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

Fruit is cultivated; it doesn’t just spontaneously appear on the vine or tree. Praise God we are planted in His royal garden, where He cultivates His fruit according to His plans and purposes in us – making us more and more like Him every day.