My “wow!” this morning. So I’ve been studying, meditating on and journaling on Philippians 1:20.
“According to my eager expectation and hope,
that I will not be put to shame in anything,
but that with all boldness, Christ will even now,
as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
The phrase “with all boldness, Christ will even now be exalted in my body” really struck me. “Is Christ exalted in my body?” is a real “in your face” question, and the answer in my case was quite sobering.
As I studied this verse, I researched a few key words. The word “boldness” <parrhesia> means out-spoken frankness, with an implication of assurance. “Be exalted” <megalyno> means to make or declare great, increase; and in this verse “be exalted” is in the passive voice, which means I am not doing the work, it’s being done through me. God is getting glory and praise through me.
Verse nineteen tells me, “…I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” With the prayers of others for me, and with the provision of the Spirit of Christ in me, it is totally possible that He be exalted always in my body…no matter what.
This past year for me has been full of loss, heartache, and challenge. Looking back, can I say that Christ has been glorified in my body? I would have to say a confident “no”. I have had plenty of self-focused pity parties throughout this past year, when I should have been demonstrating the power of my God in me despite the hard times. Oh Lord, I’m so sorry. You are good, even when my circumstances are not.
GOD IS GOOD
Even when my circumstances are not.
The fact that “be exalted” is in the passive tense, I am hearing the Spirit say, “Get out of the way and get over yourself, Karen, so I can work through you and bring glory to Myself.”
When I am “me-focused”, I am robbing God of the opportunity to be magnified.
What’s coming to me is something that God brought home to me several months ago. Apparently He thought I needed a “review” of the principle by bringing it back around today.
“I can magnify my circumstances, or I can magnify my God, but not both.”
I read a devotional by Oswald Chambers this morning. “From My Utmost for His Highest: “My Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness – Whether it means life or death—it makes no difference!” (see 1:21). Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s more gentle nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide—for…or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.“
I have to be honest in saying that I had many “why, God?!” moments throughout this past year. But…ka-pow!! God used this excerpt to answer my “why” question. When things are going smoothly, we tend to miss the gentle nudges of God, so He chooses to allow a crisis to come along. That crisis becomes a “crossroad”. Will I surrender and allow God to work in and through me to bring Himself glory? Or will I be “me-focused”, losing ground in the quicksand of my emotions?
I may have lost a lot of opportunities this past year, BUT GOD!! He has opened my eyes, and through the prayers of His people and the provision of His Spirit within, I CHOOSE to shift my gaze from my circumstances to my God.