GraceCreates

by Jon Walker

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

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The God-adventure is a sweeping dance of redemption as he moves through history coordinating circumstances and events in order to bring as many people as possible home to heaven.

Oswald Chambers calls God “The Great Engineer,” the one who keeps all things moving toward a purpose, a climax in history (which is his story). God’s tale is a tear-filled romance where he chases after those he loves, regardless of whether they love him back; it’s a nail-biting drama where he launches a rescue mission for his children, who are held in captivity, and he arrives in the perfectly planned nick of time.

In God’s story, his children follow him in faith, yet even the most faithful stumble and fail. But the story doesn’t end there! God redeems even the worst mistakes, making all things work together for the good of those he calls his own.

God’s is a story of majesty, power, and infinite grace; it’s about a God who speaks the world into existence and sets the moon and the stars in place, yet he also cares for every detail of your life. God rescued you from captivity, and now he wants you to join him in further rescue missions, bringing more of his children—your brothers and sisters—home to the Father’s house.

Even now, you are part of God’s story, but he’s calling you to see and understand and live according to the scope and magnitude of his grand adventure.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68–69 (NIV)

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Even if we don’t understand God’s plan, we need to respond to his direction. In fact, when we don’t understand God’s plan, that’s when we need to do exactly what he directs us to do.

Often, God asks us to make the choice to do his will before we know the specific details of his plan. That’s because part of God’s plan is to develop in us a trust of his character and his benevolence.

But this is where many people get into a battle of wills with God, wanting him to reveal his plan first; only then will they decide whether or not to respond.

But that’s not the way it works. God wants you to decide in advance, trusting him with complete abandonment, believing that his will is the best plan for your life, believing that he will strengthen you to do all that he asks.

You may not be ready to do that yet. God already knows your hesitancy. He will not be surprised by your transparency if you say, “Father, I’m not sure I’m ready to do your will. I don’t know if I want to do it or not.”

Allow God to strengthen you in this area. Tell him, “I don’t know that I’m willing to step out in faith without first knowing everything that’s going to happen, but I’m willing to be made willing.”

One reason God doesn’t give you the full picture of his plans for your life is that you may be overwhelmed by what you see; it may appear impossible for you to complete. But that’s the point—there is no way you can fulfill your mission without God and his strength.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.



by Jon Walker
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:15 (NIV)

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It’s near impossible to remain self-centered while serving the deep needs of another person. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition . . .” Paul says, “But in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 NIV).

Jesus set an example for us when he got up from the meal and then got down on his knees to wash his students’ feet (John 13:4–5).

Since people wore sandals or walked barefoot on dusty roads, they needed to clean their feet when they entered a house. Usually, the host would have a servant do the dirty chore, but Jesus assigned the service to himself, “taking the very nature of a servant . . .” (Philippians 2:7 NIV).

Menial was not beneath Jesus. He placed the needs of his students above his own, even as he approached his darkest hour.

Serving others requires forgetfulness on your part; you start by forgetting yourself (Matthew 10:39). “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14 NIV).

Ask God to show you one relationship that would be transformed if you emphasized the other person’s needs over your own. Like Peter walking on water, God will support you one step at a time.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)

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When Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian novelist, was a boy, he reportedly started the “White Polar Bear Club” with two of his friends. In order to become a member, you had to stand in the corner and for thirty consecutive minutes not think of a white polar bear.

Have you ever tried to intentionally not think about something? The more you think about not thinking about it, the more impossible it is to keep out of your mind!

Yet, this is how we handle temptation; when it comes, we try as hard as we can to not to think about it: “If I just don’t think about it, then I’ll have victory over this temptation.”

The problem is, the more we try not to concentrate on temptation, the more it becomes the center of our focus. And the longer we think about not giving in, the more likely we will.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, says we should focus on God, not the temptation. We tend to quote the latter half of this verse: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NIV). But the whole verse brings us right back to the “I can’t; God can” agreement necessary to live as God intended us to live.

When we focus on the Devil, we’re focusing in the wrong direction. I’m not suggesting that, in standing firm on our decisions, we can’t say “No, I’m not going to do that” to the enemy, just as Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan!”

What I am saying is that we confront the enemy in God’s strength; and we do it humbly, knowing God is the source of our authority to push back the Evil One.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.