12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)
I have reached the ends of my faith. I can no longer white knuckle my religion in hopes of reaching the Christian equivalent of “nirvana”. I remember early on, reading the New Testament for the first time with a friend. He mentioned a dangerous two word prayer that would crush the individuality in our faith: “break me”. We were naive enough to float that into the ears of our Lord and were ruined by the movement that followed.
Again, in the midst of chaos and burdens, I pray “break me”.
Verse 13 offers a hope needed in the pursuit of a transient faith. God is the one who works to build a “will” to pursue His kingdom first. On our own, we have no desire to follow Jesus. No matter how long we live, it will be our flesh that has the loudest voice. We pray for Christ to trump our stubbornness. Out of this new fangled desire, comes an ability to discern what we should “do” for Him.
When we know who we are, we will know what to do
It is at the ends of ourself that our identity is found resting in the arms of a patient father. We simply (or not so simply) have to surrender our will, our desire, and our faith. Today, let go. You are not strong enough for this world nor do you have the ability to listen to the still, small voice of your savior.
Lord, today, break me
Matt simon blog 