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Hi I am a Christian, a nurse, the mother of two grown children and two grand daughters, one grandson, and 3 dogs. I love people and have a huge heart. So why am I blogging? Well I've been told that I need to publish my writings. This seemed to be the easiest way to do that. Also, I want to get out there and live life to the fullest. Empty nests are great because now I get to explore the world. I'm starting right here on my computer. So come along with me and as I learn to fly we'll soar together!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

06/04/2009 crucifying this flesh


               
OK, so I’m learning to crucify this flesh

So far for 55 years it has ruled (sadly)
Unchallenged
A tyrant
Unyielding of it’s position
Will has been weak and useless
At least it looked that way from where I was.

But as I re-view I see that will has had it’s moments
Even though unaware of it, I went through the process of raising my children
Day by day
Flesh notwithstanding as I was able.
To be sure God played the starring role in the event.
Because He was able to access and give me strength from His depths.

So to now, no longer depended on as mother, wife, or other
Here is my life, in a cubical, in Trenton, in hiding?
Well perhaps revised – in training – for His plan.
So I come to Him in search of His desire for me
I come to the sea and I find God the Father Almighty
I come home and He is still with me, amazingly, even here.

Still I sit in a cubical
Live in Trenton
Write what comes to me
Save it away for that ‘someday’ when – who knows what – will happen.

They say I should be a writer.  I have heard it all my life. 
My mother paints with oils and pastels and crafts with beads yarn and cloth. 
I paint and craft with words and song.  My heart on paper.

So what of my heart is worthy of it?  What gift does my life hold, what value?
Only that which is reflective of God’s hand.

Cubicles are good training ground I guess.
I’m still here.

I do not yearn to go – but I am drawn to the beach (where all roads lead to, evidently.......) back to California.  It does seem like home again much to my surprise.
I don’t know why.  The flesh would certainly have a reason, but.......
I’ve given all ‘those’ thoughts feelings and dreams up, left them on the beach.  At least I have given them to God – and for now I am void of feelings.
Of course I could conger them up again in a heartbeat if I was so inclined, but to what end?  This is the first opportunity to see outside of feelings that I can ever remember experiencing. 
A very new perspective for me and interesting, to say the least.  Though I would have thought it, I am not lost.  There is no flailing about searching for my footing as I would have expected.  I miss the whirlwinds and the depth of that place, but not the instability.  I wonder if there is passion found outside of feeling?  I don’t think I could live without passion.  Desires can be squelched, pain put aside, anger turned to peace, but passion, truth seeking passion?  Oh that I could be as David and a woman after God’s heart.  I do love the passion.
Not now.  Emotions – where did they go?  I wonder.  I’m kind of enjoying the peace of this lack of turmoil, of being so ‘needy’, of reaching and desiring what I cannot have –
I’m almost afraid to even go there in my thinking, least they come crashing back in and retake control. 
Peace.

Then there is this body to contend with.  Always.
So I set about to crucify this flesh that has lorded over me.
Not out of desire to be in control as I was wont to before.  This is different. 
This is not obedience or a sense of duty even.  I can’t quite put my finger on it. 
But it is very needful in order for me to know that God has rule and not my flesh.
Maybe that helps.  Given to God and taking it back over the years has built in me a sense of defeat.
It has not built up my faith as it should because I have not persevered and had not grown in my relationship with Him to trust Him enough.
Now however, having been to the high place with Him and finding myself standing in the center of the hurricane with only His protection from that storm has given me cause to see truth, reality, and understand purpose better.  I find myself on another plane with Him much more in focus.

So it matters little what He has for me in His plan for my life.  I know I will go, or stay, whatever He wills.  It is not for my own benefit or purpose that I must conquer this flesh.  It is for Him and with His strength.  He is bringing me closer to Him through it.  To know that my flesh is subject to Him and as He is built up in me there is strength that I have never dreamed of.

That Jabba-the-hut flesh woman lying on the couch eating drinking and sleeping is no more.  Likewise the emaciated concentration camp survivor bag of bones spirit woman that has been starved all of these years is about to emerge more like super spirit woman, strong and able to rule the flesh with Him at the helm – finally.  My prayer is that ego does not replace the other as tyrant over will.  Lord keep me humble, as that was ever my greatest fear.

To have a constant diet of Him and remain steadfast in His presence pushes away everything but that which He wills for me.
Hunger is but an ant to be stepped on and passed by, with no further thought. 
Grumbling stomach a reminder to say His name again and praise Him for who He is. 
Smells of food others have around me, to remind me of the incense that my sacrifice of obedience brings to His nostrils.  I pray it is a pleasant fragrance for Him to enjoy.
Advertisements that would have before caused me to run to the fridge, bring pictures to my mind of that most Holy throne where my Father sits above the nations beckoning me to come into His presence.
How trivial all else is in comparison.

Still I am in Trenton and in a cubical day after day writing and thinking and perhaps training?
I am uneasy and have unrest here, but it is not time, yet, to move on.

So
I wait. 
I write. 
I crucify this flesh (body emotions mind and ego).
I seek His face.
I feed my spirit with His Word
I sing His praises and worship Him.
I focus on His desires.
I love those around me and feed them with the gifts He has given me.

Perhaps training is not so bad after all.
Many are touched by Him if I allow myself to be yielded and willing to open my heart to them.
I am reminded of those of whom my life has touched and am grateful for this – an offering that I can bring to Him.
There are far more than I would have imagined.  So thankfully, I love – as He reveals Himself to me and lays out the need before me.

Perhaps I can be that leaking bucket carried down the paths of their lives watering them with living water from His spring of hope.
Thankfully I have not been a simple sponge, soaking it all in to keep for myself. 
And thankfully He has deemed me worthy to be called by His name, an ambassador of the Kingdom, right where I am, just as I am, in this time, here.

What does the future hold?  Who knows?  (ya always never know? Thanks Marc) Right now I am where He has me and I am content to grow here.
I am happy to learn His ways, grow in strength of purpose and His will.  I am joyful to love those around me, so joyful to be used to love and give my heart to them.

So yeah,

Not a bad gig. 

For now.

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