“We need to see if we are using God as a form of self-help. Instead of self-help, God transforms our souls in and through love and shepherds us into places of love so that we can overflow with love. What we discover in this is that the Spirit . . . wants us to long for [joy, happiness, and spiritual pleasure]. But he wants us to long for these things because we long for him.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”- Colossians 3:4 (ESV)
As Kyle Strobel and John Coe move on in Chapter 7 of When God Seems Distant, they stress that a massive difference exists between using God to fix your life and knowing Christ is your life. Hence, the second darkness invites you to delve more deeply into this difference.
Certainly, Kyle and John acknowledge, we don’t want the desert and desolation. But they comprise the realities we need to mature. So, to avoid them or look to get out of them equates to trying to avoid the demands of adulthood.
Consequently, the authors note, here’s the truth. The Lord wants to reveal to us, more and more, the true depth of His grace. Also, to show us our tendency to accept this grace in part. When the Lord wants us to have it whole.
In conclusion, Kyle and John encourage:
“In following Jesus, we are called to learn not only that we are saved by grace but also that we only grow by grace. . . . Growing up in the faith is, in part, coming to see how we can grow with and in him only by grace. . . . We should never assume we are beyond being tempted by growing ourselves in the flesh as opposed to the Spirit.”
Today’s question: When do you recall using God as a from of self-help? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Overcome with weariness”