Peace in the Process
Peace in the Process
As a community we’ve talked a lot about the emptying work God does in the life of the believer. We’ve talked about, “lower still” being the posture of our heart and life. We’ve talked about how this work is unto more of Him. As we are emptied of self and sin, He comes in to take that once occupied space. This is so right and so good. It’s the way of God. We decrease as He increases.
I want to encourage you as you yield to God’s refining work, to keep focused on Jesus, who He is, what He’s accomplished, and the grace He’s supplying to you in real time as He works in you. In other words, keep your mind set on the Spirit. As I began to see how much emptying I really needed and the self that I was still holding onto, the enemy worked hard to discourage and deceive me. The enemy had me looking at all my lack, shortcoming, and failures. Soon that’s all I could see. Myself. My mind was set on the flesh. It was increasingly hard to see His hand, His grace at work in me. This state of deception actually begins to resist the very work God desires to do.
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God: for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it not even able to do so.” - Romans 8:6-7
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you… So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh... but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” - Romans 8:12-13
As we lean into this beautiful and at times painful work of Grace, let us continue to set our mind on things above. His heart, His ways, His work, His WORD. Let us see and think highly of His ability to redeem, heal, and liberate rather than focus on our inabilities apart from His grace. Lord help and teach us to be a people who always set our mind on the Spirit, walking in victory as You lead us! Thank you for the LIFE and PEACE that’s ours in Christ as we yield to Your refining work, AMEN!
Love you all,
Andrew