Thoughts

I know I've already got a post up today.  But I wanted to share something extra, something cool I've been learning lately.  In The Valley of Vision recently, I read a prayer called "Fullness in Christ," and this part especially stood out to me.  It's a short quote, but very profound.

O God,
Thou hast taught me
that Christ has all fullness and so all plentitude of the Spirit,
that all fullness I lack in myself is in him,
for his people, not for himself along,
he having perfect knowledge, grace, righteousness,
to make me see,
to make me righteous,
to give me fullness.

Wow.  I'm totally helpless and lacking, but all the fullness I need is in Jesus.  I don't need anything aside from Him.

This reminded me of a message I heard last week by Tullian Tchividjian.  It was called "Jesus + Nothing = Everything," and I really enjoyed it and benefited from it.  One of the big takeaway points for me was a quote something like this:

We are free to be weak because Christ is strong for us.  We are free to lose because Christ has won for us.

I love that quote because it reminds me that I can't do anything on my own, and it's not about what I do at all, or how strong or weak I feel, or about how often I feel like I'm winning versus losing.  I can lose and I can be weak, because Christ has won and Christ is strong!  It's all about Him.

So when I'm weak and when I lose, I don't have to wallow in that or become proud and self-righteous, saying "I shouldn't be weak like this!"  The reality is that I am weak.  I'm nothing without my Savior. 

In times of trouble, though trials may come
The rock of ages is standing strong
I'm fighting battles, but the war is won
So I'll run to you and surrender all
- "Holy Spirit Have Your Way" by Leeland

Weak.  That's a word I need to remember.  I am weak.  I need God desperately.  I'm totally dependent on Him.  And He is enough.  So I can run to Him.