Galatians 2:19-21 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."
I have always loved this verse, because it puts me in my place. If I no longer live, then I must at times set aside my plan for what God has.
In a fantastic novel Fire of Heaven by Bill Myers, we see the main character, Brandon, down and discouraged that his vision for what he thought God had for him was destroyed, and in a letter from a mentor we see the following written:
"I have told you of the four steps to fulfilling your dream. First you receive it, then you twisted it into your version of greatness, and now, at long last, it's dead. But it is only dead as Abraham's dream of Isaac was dead on the alter, as Joseph's dream of ruling his brothers was dead in prison, as our Lord's dream to save the world was dead on the cross, as Moses' dream of freeing his people was dead when he fled the wilderness. Unlike Moses, your time in the wilderness was short. But your death is just as thorough. God commanded Moses to throw down his staff so He could transform it. But, just as importantly, he ordered Moses to pick it back up. You are God's now. Brandon Martus is dead. His dream is dead. His call is dead. No one can be harming or hurt you 'cause no one can hurt a dead man. No one can be killing you 'cause no one can kill a dead man. All that you are is Christ's... and all that is Christ's is yours."
Choose to die in Christ, and let Christ rule! When you think of reasons why you aren't as bold in Christ- whether it be sharing the Gospel or trusting in Him fully- most of our flawed reasoning revolves around fear. Fear that God isn't going to answer our prayers in the way we had in mind. Fear that the person you share the Gospel with is going to laugh at you. Fear of humiliation. When we die in Chirst, we let him live though us. When we do this, we give up control and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us wherever God's will points! Dead men shouldn't fight God for control!
In past years on the Mission Trips, I have had huge expectations for what God could do, but sometimes I think we can get too specific with our plans. God, I want it EXACTLY like this! The problem is, my plan is often twisted somehow from the will of God. When I give God control and just ask Him to show up, that is when I find my mind blown from what He ends up doing! He knows the desires of my heart when I don't. He know what is best for the group. He knows what is best for the people we are ministering to- and he knows what is best for our lives!
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
-Psalm 37:3-6
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