“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15Once my heart responds to God's love, I quickly become discouraged by my own sinful nature. In moments of emotion, I promise myself that I will certainly fly straight to heaven—but all too soon, I return to the ordinary difficulties of daily life. I am disappointed to find that I am just as selfish and easily irritated, just as full of pride and impatience as ever. My progress toward heaven goes in fits and spurts.
But these fluctuations in the spiritual life are normal. I cannot make myself holy, any more than I could give myself eternal life. Both those things are Christ's job—and as I give myself to Christ moment by moment, day after day, His redeeming power continues to work in my life, making me whole.
Friday, January 9, 2009
A Long, Slow Journey
From Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss:
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