Yesterday, a sister-friend of mine asked me about my ongoing journey in spiritual growth; how do I understand the changes that have been happening and continue to happen to me? How has the ongoing, daily renewal of my mind affected the way I think and do things or interact with others? She suggested I spend some time to think about it and we schedule a convenient time for a long discussion.
I did not have to chew over her questions for a long time. I had been thinking about this issue in these past few weeks of Lenten observance and discovered that my different lines of thought converged in only one direction. It is all about the glorification of God. The Holy Spirit, as the working arm of God, does all things for that one end goal. Subsequently as the Spirit begins to slowly take total control over one’s life, it directs the mindset towards that singular goal.
The way I have come to accept it, this is the smell-test for the active and full presence of God’s spirit. It has become an indispensable filter for me to run my thoughts and decisions through. Does this thought or desire glorify God, or does it glorify me? Does this action promote God in all His majesty, or does it promote me to make me feel more relevant to family, friends and associates? Does this blessing trace back to God’s beneficent mercy, or does it stop with my smug satisfaction? Do I use the platforms God has blessed me with to promote Him or promote myself? Do I make it clear to myself and all I know at every opportunity that all I am and have is from God and belongs to God?
It is working for me, and I will readily admit it is not an easy filter, even with the help of same Holy Spirit. It makes you give up your choices for that of others. It always puts the precepts of God first. A Holy Fear, a fear of offending a God who has been so good, so generous and so gracious in mercy clouds every judgment and decision taken. You can’t get enough of the deeper wisdom of God’s Word.
One surprising thing I have observed is that I do not get disappointed or upset anymore when people do not appreciate what I do. It is good etiquette to show gratitude and it is nice to feel appreciated, but if it doesn’t come; because said action was taken based on a godly precept and with a desire to ultimately honor and glorify God, it doesn’t really matter any more. God’s smile is always more than enough to make one feel good, and God always smiles when He sees efforts in obedience, especially sacrificial efforts.
More from Oswald Chambers: The expression of Christian character is not good-doing, but God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit Divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics. God’s life in us expresses itself as God’s life, not as human life trying to be godly. The secret of a christian is that the supernatural is made natural in him by the grace of God, and the experience of this works out in the practical details of life, not in times of communion with God.
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 