Necessary Things

When we start out with Jesus, we are like the Simon Peter who was so very confident that he would always stand by Jesus.  He was sure there would never be a moment for him of betraying his Lord.  Of course, we know how that story ends.  And, we also know how our own story ends as well.  In the beginning we vowed that there was nothing we would not do, no place we would not go.  All Jesus had to do was ask and we would be on our way. 

 

What most of us realize is that it does not take long for the reality of our human nature to re-appear with all its power.  We said we would go to the ends of the earth for Jesus, but when we realized He only wanted us to go to someone we know and seek reconciliation at any cost, we backed away.  We said we would do anything except forgive someone who hurt us, or disappointed us.  We declared ourselves ready for service until we encountered the beggar who clearly was fit for work.  Judgmental spirits do not die easy. 

We do start out as eager followers, but soon turn into reticent dispirited souls who wonder what happened.  It is at that very moment that our hearts are ripe for that work of grace which could bring us to a new awareness of the Holy Spirit, but we are usually unable to see.  Most of us have to go to the well of self-determination and will power more than once to realize that well is an empty hole when it comes to enabling us to live in the image of Jesus.  Only the Holy Spirit can do this and He is only able to work in us as we will allow it to happen.  It happens as we practice the discipline of emptying ourselves of the desires of ego and what we know to be sin in our life.  With such being necessary for a new beginning with the Spirit, it is easy to understand why we will try everything else first.