Rediscovering Holiness -- J.I. Packer

Imagine, now, a devoted and gifted Christian woman (or man), whose ministry has been precious to her, finding that for quite a long period the Lord sidelines her so that her potential is not being used.  What is going on?  Is this spiritual failure?  It is probably not spiritual failure at all, but a lesson in Christ's school of holiness.  The Lord is reminding her that her life does not depend on finding that people need her.  The prime source of her joy must always be the knowledge of God's love for her -- the knowledge that though he did not need her, he has chosen to love her freely and gloriously so that she may have the eternal joy of fellowship with him.  Regarding her ministry, what matters is that she should be available to him.  Then he will decide when and how to put her to service again, and she should leave that with him.  In the spiritual life, what we are always takes priority over what we do.  If we lose touch with what we are, and with the reality of God's free mercy as the taproot of our spiritual life, the Lord may have to sideline us until we have learned this lesson again.

The above quoted passage is from chapter seven of the book by J.I. Packer titled Rediscovering Holiness.  Reading the book, especially this passage, had a profound impact on me.  It was if God was speaking directly to me in answer to a prayer as to what He was accomplishing in this life.  According to Philippians 2:13, "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."  By no means does God owe me any kind of explanation as to His divine plans, but I am very grateful He has pulled back the curtain to reveal what He is up too.  For many years, most of my life to be honest, I have never felt as if I was living in the fullness of life according to my giftings and potential.  Thoughts daily occur of why I am stuck in a city I can't stand living in, and why I seem to be under God's thumb not able to move or do anything productive.  Reading the book by J.I. Packer provided the answer for the observations I have made.  I am reminded of both Abraham and Moses, along with many other Biblical heroes of faith, who were not used mightily of God till very late in life.  Until I come to peace with God's plan, I can kick against the goads all I want, but the only person I'm hurting is myself.  Now my prayer is, "Use me in your timing, for that will have the greatest impact for your kingdom.  Amen."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Party on the Porch (Amon Carter Museum)

On Saturday, September 30th, I attended the annual Party on the Porch sponsored and hosted by the Amon Carter Museum.  I attended this function about twelve years ago with a friend and his family.  For whatever reason, the festivities fell off my radar till I saw a banner for it a few weeks prior.  Deciding it would be good for me to get out, even if it was alone, I requested a ticket and downloaded it to my phone.  The best part of the shin-dig was it's free of charge!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Both Party on the Porch and the Museum itself are funded by a perpetual trust established upon the death of Amon Carter himself.  (Take that, you other museums who charge an entrance fee!  Because of the lack of admission, I am able to frequent the art gallery as often as I can.)  Free parking for the event was available across the street at the surface lots of the Health Science Center.  (Another plus to showing up for the event.)  There were several people managing the entryway.  On
Read more

Seeking Closure!

Last week I was able to get away from the land of exile in order to visit and spend time with family.  Even though part of our plans for a trip to East Texas fell apart, I very much enjoyed spending three wonderful days with my mother in Yoakum.  During this time, as she still had to work her shifts at the church, I was able to scratch off quite a few items from the bucket list.  Many of these items have been on there for several years awaiting much-needed closure.  On top of the list, but really in no particular order, was to visit the Alchoholics Anonymous group in Victoria where I tried to get sober in 2004.  Even though I didn't recognize anyone in attendance, I did enjoy the time spent in fellowship.  Then a visit was made to Memory Gardens Cemetery where three acquaintances are interred.  One in particular, my friend Amy, was buried there in 2021.  Regretting not being able to attend her funeral services, I made every effort to locate her grave, along with the graves of her m
Read more

Reprieve from the War Front

** This is another letter from my father in Korea during the war of 1950-1953.  My intention in posting these letters is to capture the very personal side of war.  The letter is typed as written.  Any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and etc. are intentional. 17-Oct-53 Dear Mom & Dad           I have just returned from a splendid seven days leave in Japan.  My seven days were filled with just about everything a person could want in a leave.  Steak, lobster, french fried potatoes, and onions, and many other fried foods.  The special service hotel at which I stayed is the most beautiful in Tokyo, Ga-Jo-En KANKO Hotel.  It is composed of three buildings connected by hallways, five stories high.  It has many facilities such as Grill, Bar, Cocktail Lounge, PX, Game Room, Barber Shop, Dining Room, Wrapping Service, and Dining Room, where meals are very cheap: 15 cent breakfast, 25 cent lunch, 45 cent supper.  The elevators of the Hotel are lined with mother-of-pearl formed into wa
Read more