Is Christ Most Magnified In Your Life?

I thought about this question after listening to a devotional this morning. It seemed incredibly simple and meaningful at the same time. When I think of where I am at today, this question is particularly important for me to answer. Maybe it is for you too.

I’ve been walking with Jesus for a few years now, but I still find myself becoming accustomed or comfortable with rhythms of, namely, “Christian living.” My fervent prayer to be set apart for Christ is sometimes replaced with the old desires I thought I had overcome; things like wanting to fit in. Within the church even. My focus can be on being a better Christian in routine and appearance rather than seeking the quiet place where only my Father gets to tell me who I Am.

My identity can become wrapped up in looking like I’ve got everything together within the body of Christ rather than being known, redeemed, chosen, and called by God to live out the Gospel to the standard of which Christ alone calls me. I confess that I have grown complacent. Though I am involved at my church, I serve, attend the Bible studies, participate in weekly fellowship… I can still miss the POWER of God. I am boasting in my weakness here.

How is it that I can become so satisfied in my routines, patterns, and thoughts on how I should live out ministry that I don’t step into the calling to truly, simply, love God wherever I go? Where has my zeal gone? I have confused contentment with settling. Through all circumstances, Christ calls us to be content in Him, but I believe He does not ask us to settle on being comfortable in exchange for what He has called us to.

Why is it that my focus has shifted? Let me ask you. Are you focused on being the best Christian, knowing the most about God, OR on pursuing, loving, knowing, worshipping, and seeking God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength of your own accord. Too often I confuse the praises of people for genuine satisfaction with my Creator. When will I rest? When will I see? Christ only wants my heart. Christ only wants your heart. And a heart that is transformed by Him, that is resting in Him, that knows Him, and listens to His voice - will respond in obedience.

When people leave me, do they fall more in love with Christ? Certainly, I have wanted people to leave thinking more highly of me and how great I may think I am. I am but a sinner in desperate need of God’s grace in every single moment! There is absolutely NO good in me apart from Christ. Any good thing in me is Christ (see Galatians 2:20 ESV).

So I ask myself. Is Christ most magnified in my life? Am I the main character in my own story, whereas I’ve minimized Him to something more manageable. How is it that my human heart can consider itself to have the authority and know-how over all things. That is my tendency and for that, I ask Christ for forgiveness. For anything that I have, any good gift, and kind word spoken, or hospitality extended is PURELY and ONLY from Christ! He is the giver of all good things and in Him, I live and move and have my being (see Acts 17:28 ESV).

My prayer is that I would get back to the heart of the Father. That I would continue to seek Him in the quiet place because I love Him. That before I pursue Godly things, events, and fellowship - that I would pursue Him. That I would take a breath and rest and know that this life is ALL for Him. All of it.

One of my favorite quotes by 17th-century theologian Thomas Watson is this,

“To serve God, to love God, and to enjoy God, is the sweetest freedom in the world.”

Do you enjoy God? Are you weary? Have you become calloused to the things that once brought you joy?

Let’s go back there. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30). I invite you to pray this simple prayer with me.

Lord, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Help me to love you especially when I don’t feel like it. Forgive me for turning to things, even the good things of this world, instead of you. Jesus, I love you. Thank you for meeting me here. I have always known your faithfulness. Thank you that you do not forsake me, but that you love me deeply and completely. Give me the faith, desire, and whatever else it is that I need to make much of you in my life. To magnify your name above my own and above all else, that I may taste and see of Your goodness. For myself and for others, as I seek to love my neighbor as you do. Thank you, Lord, for the cross. I love you.

In Jesus name, Amen.