“The act of consecration is . . . the first step before God’s protection and provision can flow.”- John Eldredge
John Eldredge begins Chapter 8 (Consecration- Bringing Things Under the Rule of Jesus”) of Moving Mountains by describing a scene from the movie We Were Soldiers. Sixty men spill out of eight Bell “Huey” helicopters and immediately open fire into the tall grasses and trees surrounding them. Only the North Vietnamese were not there-yet. The firing was an outburst of panic.
John considers that scene a brilliant depiction of how Christians often pray- “frantic, impulsive, chaotic.” However, until we first bring things under the rule and jurisdiction of Jesus Christ, the blessings of the kingdom of God cannot flow. Rather than jumping straight into prayer, John states we first must pause and align ourselves with Jesus. We are in a collision of kingdoms. Intentionality is essential to bring things under and into the kingdom of God.
Mr. Eldredge describes the act of consecration as “the fresh act of dedicating whatever needs God’s grace deliberately and intentionally to Jesus, bringing it fully into his kingdom and under his rule. This is the first act of effective prayer.”
Even though we are sons and daughters of God, we aren’t always in an unbroken intimacy with Him. Adversity may break our connection with Jesus. Satan also has a vested interest in separating us from Christ.
Through the act of consecration, we remain with Jesus and His words remain in us.
Today’s question: How are you intentional about the act of consecration? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “It takes a whole heart”
