I came across this as I was scrolling through my notes to teach my worship students.
It was a post I did for our women's ministry blog, Joli, awhile back.
I never posted it here, but when I read it today, I thought I should.
Enjoy!
Christ As Lord
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense
to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness
and fear.”
(1 Peter 3:15)
When I first read this verse in my
Bible, I figured, “I already sanctify God in my heart. I recognize Him as Lord, I want to tell
everyone the Good News of what Jesus did for me, I realize He is holy, He is
the One True God.”
Then, recently, I came back to this
verse.
Sanctify.
When I took that word apart, it
literally means “To Set Apart.”
Set apart.
Separate.
Isolate.
Single Out.
The Lord God.
These three words were translated “Christ
As Lord.”
As King of all kings.
As Lord of all lords.
As ruler above all rulers.
The only One claiming the right of owning
my heart.
The only One worthy of all my
worship.
All. My.
Worship.
How many other things in my little
world crowd Jesus out until I can’t differentiate His voice from the demands of
life pulling me towards the wider road?
Away from the Still Small Voice
calling me to come deeper?
He doesn’t demand me to come.
He bids me to come and lean my head
on His lap and receive strength.
Yet, as I come and fall at His feet,
I know He requires my all.
Fully abandoned.
Completely surrendered.
Surrendering everything.
Any hope of recognition by man.
Every thought that wanders in its
desire for the world.
Any thought that makes Christ less
than He is.
Every vain imagination.
Without all of me, there cannot be
room for all of Jesus.
Without Him, I am hopelessly undone.
And in that understanding, there is
freedom.
Complete peace.
Because, as I empty out the needy
caverns of my heart, Jesus fills them with Himself.
