"Show Up - Revisited"
Over the years, I have frequently shared with you my philosophy of life: "Show up." Or, as the prophet affirmed, "Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
I find thrilling the determination to offer ourselves to God for the fulfillment of His purpose in our lives. However, I also find it disturbing. If I look back on my life (and I don't have to look far back), I can recall so many instances in which I did not present myself to the Lord for His glory and the benefit of people. Indeed, it is one thing to have a philosophy of life. It is quite another to live in the illumination, blessing, and challenge of it. I have too often shared the Apostle Paul's lament: "the good that I would, I do not" (Romans 7:19).
I suppose every believer feels this way at times. Perfection is not attainable in this lifetime, although we maintain it as the goal. Thankfully, the God with whom we walk through the Lord Jesus Christ bears a heart of longsuffering patience for His children. He is "slow to anger" and "ready to forgive" (Psalm 103:8; 86:5). This brings me to the main point of this consideration: our Heavenly Father always shows up for us. "I am with thee… I will be with thee" (Isaiah 43:5; 2). God Himself comprises the essence of my philosophy. Faithful trustworthiness fills His character, nature, disposition, and way. Thus, when we require strength for the journey, the Lord is at hand, or rather, in heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we need forgiveness and cleansing for not showing up, our Savior's faithful presence at the right hand of God suffices. "He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). Whatever our need, He promises to provide both His presence and His provision. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).
I have discovered that "Show up" involves faithfulness and faith. First, we look to "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" as the motivation and power of a life lived in availability to God and others (Hebrews 12:2). Then we trust Him to reveal His trustworthy heart in us. "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Show up? Absolutely. He always does! Moreover the better we know our Lord's perfectly faithful determination, the more we will reflect in our own hearts and lives His unswerving devotion and availability to others…
"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Lord."
(II Corinthians 3:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
"When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek."
(Psalm 27:8)
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