Singular

“All I finally want is Christ.”  

Boom.  Mic drop.  How simple, how singular, how….free.  If I could always be of that singular mindset and heart-set, my life would be completely different.  In my overly articulated, exceedingly verbal life, all I want to say is, “All I finally want is Christ.”

But I don’t just say that.  I, like yet another wedding invitation inquiry, always want to bring along a “Plus One.”  Christ + good work, Christ + plans, Christ + future, Christ + what about?, Christ + doubt, Christ + sleep, Christ + financial security, Christ + entertainment, Christ + busyness, Christ + ______ ."  Why do I always add a Plus One?  And the scary thing is that Paul refers to those that add the + to their lives as the troublemakers and dogs.  I am the troublemaker and, ipso-facto, I am the dog.  Forget about “being aware of these people who want you to add to Jesus and His finished work,” as Darrell says.  I AM “these people”.  I need to be aware of myself!

I do not want to add any plus to the death and resurrection of Chris and turn the Gospel on its head and drain myself (or others) of the joy of the Lord.   This is my deep, deep prayer, that I would desire, above all else, Christ plus NOTHING!!!”  Help me, Lord.

I know this will take a lifetime.  This is what it looks like for me to work out my faith.  And, as Darrell says, "Jesus knows 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.  So in His love he takes us through experiences that crucifies the flesh.  The more the flesh dies the more we are able to live in that resurrection life.”

As hard as it is to say that I want Christ to continue to take me through life experiences that crucify my flesh, it is necessary and the only way to get me to the singular Christ, not Christ + ____.”