My All in All

I'm so glad that the Lord didn't lay out all His plans for my life at conversion. Here I am almost 10 years into my Christian walk and when I reflect on the life lessons that He has taken me through I marvel and praise Him for His grace. There are very few "obvious" corrections that He reveals. Most of the time, I have never seen that there was a problem in an area that He has brought my attention to. However when I look back prior to the correcton taking place, it has been a major stumbling block to my life.
The latest behavior that He has spoken to me about is self-control and pride. Practically He is dealing with my sin of overeating or otherwise known as gluttony. It may sound trivial, but it is just as serious as any other addiction. I have essentially turned my back on God and feeding my pride when I ate beyond my needs. I have tortured my body with gaining and losing weight over the years. I have been in a Bible study over the last two months for healing in this area. The weight loss is only a bonus. Learning the put Christ first in ALL THINGS is the real blessing that I have learned. To crucify my pride and practice the fruit of the spirit, self-control IN ALL AREAS!!! That carries over into other areas of my life. I don't need the last word. I don't need to bemoan my present circumstances. I need to thank and praise Him for entrusting me with His treasures. Loving and nurturing my family so they can be secure in my love and to reflect the love of Christ in their lives. The critical spirit that I thought was crucified was still alive in my prideful nature. Thinking I was being "godly" and realising my grumbling I would mumble, were not glorifiying to God and were edifying to my family. It was essentially throughing my hand up in the face of Him, telling Him my way was better. What nerve!!!!!
I'm so thankful that when I fall, I can approach His throne and repent of my sins and bask in His saving grace. This song below comes to my mind today.

Once Again
Words and music by Matt Redman

Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I marvel at Your saving grace
And I'm full of praise once again
I'm full of praise once again

Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my Friend