All I Finally Want...

Holy buckets.  Where to even begin this week??

First, I have been super encouraged, and quite challenged, reading all of your posts this week.

Here are a handful of highlights from my time listening to DJ this week:

1. Watch out for all those joy robbers out there!!  
Ha!  I pray that God would bless us with open eyes and clarity of vision to see every time we add something to Jesus and the cross.  I pray for the sensitivity to understand that I am the joy robber!  Every time I add anything, though especially works, to the Gospel I ruin it for my life.  I like what DJ had to add in the closing remarks about C.S. Lewis's message: My desires are not too strong, but far too weak.  I am a half-hearted creature fooling around with sex, and drink, and ambition when INFINITE JOY is offered us.  I am far too easily pleased.  Lord, help us to not settle for anything less than your infinite Joy, give us the strength to follow Paul in proclaiming that all I finally want is Christ.

2. I put no confidence in the flesh...
"Unless we too admit this we will not know the fullness of joy.  All of our achievements do not justify us before God!"  This is the something that ruins the Gospel of Jesus: I can qualify myself.

"...and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:12


... but rather boast in knowing and understanding Christ Jesus.

3. When did Jesus Christ become more than a name to me?  Has he?
Do I allow myself to be found in Him?  Am I able to swallow the truth I cannot find Christ?  Will I be humble and wise enough in his  knowledge to realize that I am not the subject, but rather part of Christ's story. 
Do I know Him who draws me close in the knowledge of Him and in the fellowship of His sufferings?   "Jesus knows that we will not put our full confidence in Him unless and until that deeply rooted desire to live independently of Him is crucified and buried.

And finally, I was challenged by the exhortation by DJ to reconsider those song lyrics that we can joyfully sing... Oh the wonderful cross... that bids me come and die and see that I could truly live.  Thank Jesus for leading us into situations beyond ourselves so that we may discover Himself.