Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
But I need something more!
For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Romans 7: 15-25 (The Message)
Image by Himalayan Trails via FlickrBut I need something more!
Something more!
Something More!
I try and try to do it on my own.
Like a toddler stomping her feet in a rally for independence, I set out once again determined to love You with my whole heart.
Then I fail. Again and again.
My good intentions are not strong enough to face sin and my own humanness.
Even my strongest times are feeble.
I need something more.
I need more.
I need More.
You are More, Lord.
You are the something I need.
You know this about us, don’t you, Lord?
You know we can’t do it on our own.
Yet You lovingly, like an all-knowing, ever-watchful Father, allow us to try.
We learn in our struggle to trust in Your power, Your More.
You are present to be our something More.
More than we can ever imagine.
More than we can grasp with tiny human minds.
More than the world can comprehend and farther than the universe can reach.
You are something More.
Something More
More.
I love that journal entry – God is always more.
God is all we need. I have been receiving that reminder a lot lately. Thanks.
I have a friend who signs each of his journal entires: God is always more. I thought of him when I wrote this post. Thanks for your nice comments.
Very powerful!
Blessings…Chelle
Well said!