“The blessedness of possessing nothing can not be learned by rote as one would learn the facts of physical science. They must be experienced before we can really know them.”- A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (1948)
Ann Voskamp continues Chapter 5 of The Broken Way by affirming that the very moment of our salvation in Christ made our union with Him an objective fact. However, experiential joy occurs only when we encounter the moment of realization of our communion with Christ.
Through this communion, the ever-present Christ becomes fully present- and we begin to become the gift. Ms. Voskamp explains:
“This is the beginning of becoming the gift. Allow Christ in you to give away the gift of Himself right through your brokenness. God gives God so we can be the givers. The gift-ers.”
Furthermore, A. W. Tozer (The Pursuit of God) adds that to know God in growing intimacy, we must go the way of renunciation. If we’re intentional in our pursuit of God, sooner of later God brings us to that test.
Therefore, our pursuit of God as He relentlessly pursues us creates a growing intimacy. Our journey brings us to a dare- living cruciform. In other words, Ann states, “the communion of living the shape of the cross.”
In conclusion, Ann urges us to forget about paying it forward. Rather, giving it forward becomes our only option. So, be the GIFT and Give It Forward Today. Give Christ. Perhaps the only abundant way forward = giving forward.
When bits of joy lodge in your brokenness, Ann notes, you feel a bit remade.
Today’s question: How have you matured in the blessedness of possessing nothing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A cascade of grace”
