I live...yet not I, CHRIST!
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About nine years ago, our son-in-law was stationed in Tucson, Arizona [home of our Alma Mater, the U of A, "Go Wildcats!" But I digress...]. When the school year for my ESOL class had ended in June, I flew to Tucson for an extended visit. Beth and Nate were both working during the daytime, so I had some lovely, restful, sun-filled (and "Son-filled") time alone by the pool. At that time, I was reading some of Brennan Manning's books.
One day I was reading The Signature of Jesus as I soaked up the Arizona sun by the pool. I was somewhat annoyed to see that a man lying on a lounge nearby was straining to see what I was reading. He struck up a conversation, and I found out that he was a chemist from Oregon. Then the question came, "What are you reading? What's it about?"
When I told him about the book, he replied, "You must be a devout Christian."
I replied, somewhat ashamed at my original annoyance, "Jesus is my Life! I can't imagine living life without Him. There's a Settled Presence no matter what I go through."
My Lord Jesus Christ IS my Life. It wasn't always so. Religious ritual, ministry, being a good wife and mother, health and physical fitness, and such have more often than not, taken top billing. But as I get closer to the end of life on this earth, I realize more and more that all of that is not important compared to the excellency of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and being found in HIM who is my Life Philippians 3:7-11
As the Apostle Paul declared,
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
What about you, dear friend? Is He your Life? Or are lesser things competing and winning out? Surrender to Him by faith today...choose HIM!
Lately, I can't stop listening to this song...and singing it at the top of my lungs! Would you like to join me and give Him praise?
Crucified with ChristAs I look back on what I thought was livingI'm amazed at the price I choose to payAnd to think I ignored what really matteredCause I thought the sacrifice would be too greatBut when I finally reached the point of giving inI found the cross was calling even thenAnd even though it took dying to surviveI've never felt so much alive. CHORUS: For I am crucified with Christ and yet I liveNot I but Christ that lives within meHis Cross will never ask for more than I can giveFor it's not my strength but HisThere's no greater sacrificeFor I am crucified with Christ and yet I live
As I hear the Savior call for daily dyingI will bow beneath the weight of CalvaryLet my hands surrender to His piercing purposeThat holds be to the cross but sets me freeI will glory in the power of the crossThe things I thought were gain I count as lossAnd with His suffering I identifyAnd by His resurrection power I am alive
BRIDGE:And I will offer all I haveSo that His cross is not in vainFor I found to live is ChristAnd to die is truly gain
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