“God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full—there’s nowhere for Him to put it.” – Augustine
Yesterday I talked about bone dropping. I mentioned how tightly a dog will grip a bone unless presented with something much better. I presented Christ as the Ultimate Transformer of lives. But to receive Him we must surrender – you know… hands up… palms open… dropping everything… bones and all…!
Many who read this blog have done this, maybe many years ago. But perhaps in that long interim you may have found a bone or two to pick as well. Perhaps by now you’ve accumulated a pantry full of them… you know… just in case.
Well, in case what?
If you are honest, the only possible answer is ‘in case Christ fails me!’ Just in case Christ fails me I will keep these bones to gnaw on… just maybe they will yet provide nourishment.
I know you don’t like to look at this with such raw realism. But there can be no other meaning. It is time for you to stare down your pantry and take brutal inventory of its contents. It is time for you to fill it further with Christ till there is no room for old bones.
Hear again from Thomas Chalmers…
“We know of no other way by which to keep the love of the world out of our heart, than to keep in our hearts the love of God—and no other way by which to keep our hearts in the love of God, than building ourselves up on our most holy faith.”
The Apostle Paul is even more direct…
“If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker… if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! …Who has bewitched you? …Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Gal. 2:18, 21; 3:1a,3)
What might some of these ‘bones’ be? Could be a return to an old sin, to alcohol, drugs, pornography, fantasy, virtual reality. Could be acts of benevolence or service, self-sacrifice, church membership, baptism, religious activity, self-harm or purging. Could be a love of money, success, fame or infamy.
All of these may bloat the belly, but they provide no nourishment to the soul. Throw them out! Far away! Grasp tightly the Gift of God.
Again, Augustine…
“God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full.”
Let go, grab hold, and
Press on…
thebrokenrunner 