We all know about life! What a journey of unexpected turns! We encounter sunny, breezy days but also chaotic, thunderous ones. Occasionally, we might predict where our path will veer, but at other times, we are blindsided. Eventually, we realize that our life’s course is outside our control and in the hands of another (God). The other is the One who says, “I know the plans that I have for you” (Jer. 29:11).
I know a pastor who preached a sermon series entitled Stories. The series included video clips of personal testimonies of church members. One woman came to Christ after growing up in a home where her parents sold her Christmas presents to buy drugs.
Another came to Christ after being heavily involved in the occult. Though these ladies encountered very dark seasons, they ultimately yielded to Christ. And His Spirit filled their damaged and broken earthen vessels.
Christ's Story Within Mine
In his sermon, the pastor made this profound statement: “Jesus Christ wants to write His story within our life stories.”
Jesus’ life on earth displayed all that is available to His followers – redemption, hope, love, and the power to overcome. Colossians 1:27 says, “Christ in us is the hope of glory.” So yes, as His life manifests in ours, we live for the glory of God.
Galatians 2:20 enlightens us regarding the interweaving of our lives with Christ’s: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NIV).
How do we walk in life such that we no longer live, but Christ lives in us? We walk in faith, daily fellowshipping with our Father (Rev. 3:20), allowing His Word to transform our lives (Romans 12:2), and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into His rest (Heb. 4:9-10) .
Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
A Fruitful and Victorious Life
As the Holy Spirit leads and we obey, we ever so gradually exhibit the fruitful and victorious life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, our identity begins to shift. Our focus turns from the pain of the past to the image of Christ being formed in us (Rom. 8:29).
No one can precisely identify the steps involved in this transformation, but the Spirit of God knows. John 3:8 explains, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Though we do not understand all that is involved, we remain committed to our walk of faith. We trust God’s grace and know we are being led in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:24).
What an unexpected turn, indeed! We learn to flow in the Spirit as we step out of our “natural identity suit” and allow our identity to be anchored in Christ – in His life within us. Each of us has a choice to make. How will we engage our free will?
God’s Spirit will reveal facets of our natural selves that block us from going further in God and flowing more freely in the Spirit. We may choose to willingly obey or stay within the confines of comfortable flesh. Let’s choose wisely!
God’s plan is that Jesus’ victorious story is recreated in our lives. 1 John 4:17 reminds us: “As He is, so are we in this world.” The enemy experiences defeat again and again as Christ reigns through your life, my life, and the lives of countless others. Hallelujah!
Let’s yield by faith to this glorious spiritual walk!
