Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" — Mark 9:7 NIV
Every Christian has a line inside his or her heart. On one side of the line we have said "yes" to Jesus. On the other side, we haven’t yet said "yes." This is good news, because that means that every day will be an adventure with God.
Why haven’t we said "yes"? Because we believe something bad will happen if we do. In it’s classic form, we have, "God, you can do anything with my life, but don’t send me into the jungle where I’ll be eaten by ants and cannibals." There’s the line.
But, for most of us, the line is not in our calling, but in the hidden places in our hearts. It comes in forms like these: I don’t want to face how angry I really am inside. If I give up my anger, then I won’t have it any more to protect me. If I really own how frightened (hopeless, abandoned, shameful, trapped, etc.) I feel, then Jesus won’t love me, I won’t be safe, I’ll look like a fool, and so on.
So why is the line there? Because of our faulty beliefs.
This is also good news, because Jesus specializes in correcting faulty beliefs. All we have to do is listen to Him.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.