Oswald Chambers in his classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, says, "If you are going through a solitary way, read John 17, it will explain exactly why you are where you are ..."
Jesus' prayer in John 17 ruined my life. It ruined my career. It ruined all the great plans I had for my life. I knew exactly where I wanted to be ... what kind of family I wanted ... what kind of church I wanted ... what kinds of accomplishments I wanted on my resume ... But now I hear Jesus praying for me, and it ruins everything.
He's praying two things for me -- that I will be one with other Christians and that I will be one with THE FATHER. That's it. Nothing else. That's his entire prayer for me.
I can't believe it.
I want so much more than that. But that's all Jesus wants for me.
When my life is over ... the older I get the harder it is to say those words. They used to be unreal, they are slowly becoming real, and soon they will be surreal ... I'll say them again ... when my life is over, nothing else will matter. I've sat by more than my share of deathbeds and I've never heard anyone mention their resume. They say things like, "Is Bob here?" "Did Jean make it?" "Give my fishing rod to Roy" "Tell my son that I love him."
When my life is over (I have to keep saying it, but it's not getting easier), it will be about me and you ... are we good? Is everything O.K. between us? Do you know how I feel about you? AND it will be about God, THE FATHER ... (I'm looking up) Are we good? Is everything O.K. between us? Do you know how I feel about you?
That explains Jesus' prayer in John 17. It takes most of us a lifetime to learn that prayer. I'm 44 and I haven't learned it yet ... I'm getting closer ... inch by inch. But I'm still in denial. I want so much more for my life than what Jesus wants. I can't believe it. I have so much to offer ... and all Jesus wants is for me to let go. I'm not there yet.
I still have the "G.I. Joe, Kung Fu Grip" on my resume ... It's hard to let go. I've gripped it so hard and so long now that it's all smudged and wrinkled and not very impressive. Maybe soon I'll let go of it ... maybe tomorrow.
Ellis,
this post was good.
Preacher pic is classic. lol...
i think i see J. Falwell in the back...
Posted by: Tom Weaver | May 26, 2006 at 11:59 AM