Not I, but Christ

I had an interesting conversation with a dear friend about a burdensome situation that she's watched me navigate for a little more than 3 years. Having honest feedback isn't always the most desirable position to be in, but when you're in the position to receive it in love, it cushions any sting. In the past, I've found her feedback to be both honest and loving. So as she candidly shared from her wisdom - she made a statement that stuck with me, and I paraphrase, "you may have been less than perfect in the execution of your position, but you've always sought God with your heart for your responses to [this trial]." And I realized, quite suddenly, that this is exactly what it means to live in light of Gal. 2:20. Here's how it reads from the Message translation:

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

It's kind of refreshing to know that the obligation for perfection has been met. I don't have to "do it all right," which leads to self-righteousness. I am free to pursue Christ in all things and to glory in His wondrous gift! Not that I relish or find much pleasure in these current difficulties, but to know that they are purposeful and to hear that the not so casual observer can connect the dots between the desire of my heart (pleasing God) and the actual actions that make their way from my being.

That reminds me of another tidbit of wisdom I received while participating in a Sunday School class with Mark Keltner. He said, "we want others to judge us by our intentions, but we often judge others by their actions." Isn't it true spiritual maturity (in Christ) when there's almost no distance between our intentions and our actions?

May there be less and less of me that you see!