Apart From Him

It’s funny, I thought about writing this blog weeks ago as I was spending a wonderful week in Aruba. I call it my week with Jesus. Christian or not- you would agree that spending a week in Aruba is close to spending a week in heaven. It was. I had seven full days of sleeping in late, long walks to the sandy white beach with my Ravi podcasts, sipping pina coladas, eating delicious food, and spending afternoons with my dear friend, Angela.

I was so refreshed, so encouraged, so rejuvenated to carry on in the daily challenges of life. My first thought is to say the daily challenges of my work with COTN, but the more important challenges which we all face are those of our own walk with God- our “personal holiness,” as I recently heard it described.

If that sounds a little weird- don’t give up reading quite yet!

If you’ve read this far you know me well enough to know where I stand with my faith- I believe Jesus is the hope of all men and has for us a purpose greater than ourselves, a purpose that in itself gives us meaning for life.

So, back to my time in Aruba. Without Internet access and a cell phone I had several days to consider my personal holiness. It was quite easy to see the truth- spending endless hours with God brought about all that He says it will- peace, joy, hope, love, purpose… I can sum it up by saying that by giving God space in my life, I reaped the richness of knowing Him more.

Psalms 63 is, in fact, true:

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you:
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
And beheld your power and your glory.
Because you love is better than life,
My lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
And in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
With singing lips my mouth will praise you.

I left completely convinced, fully reminded that apart from Him I have nothing- no purpose, no joy, no peace… I will spare you the theological backing to that statement. (Check out Ravi Zacharias podcasts to hear it eloquently communicated.) Nevertheless, being reminded of who God actually is and what He has done for me gave me great confidence to face the daily grind of things to come.

I was sure I was on my way to personal holiness… and for a few days I could only dream of being back in Aruba and having ample time to bask in the presence of God and learn more about Him… but, here I am two weeks later and I took much of today to spend time with Him and I have not yet cracked my Bible or any other book or podcast that will serve to refresh my soul. Well, except for the three episodes of The Office that I watched earlier.

Speaking with a friend tonight, we found we could both come up with the “church answers.” You know, if you don’t know the answer, just say “Jesus.” There are so many “church answers” for life's questions! And, honestly, many of the answers are true. However, we have heard than so many times or we have heard them communicated in such a manner that the impact and the validity of the answer loses something along the way.

For example:
Question: How do I remain focused on God?
Church Answer: Read your Bible, pray, go to church…
Truth within Answer: God is a person. Spend time with Him and the more you know the
omnipotent, omniscient, all-good God, the more you will love Him and the more you will
remain focused on Him.

The how is often times so much easier than the implementation of the how. I stepped off of the plane from Aruba back into the self-imposed captivity of my Outlook calendar. Want to know what I am doing in July 2009? I can tell you.

What good is access to the throne of God if we are too busy to pay Him a visit, let alone if we are too busy to sit, to dwell there? If we drive by and never stop? I fully believe that Jesus is who He said He is. I truly believe that apart from Him there is no hope, no life. Again, small words with much meaning. I wonder if the Church, or maybe just if I, lived each day accordingly what change that would bring about in me and what change that would bring about in a very hurting world.

I am realizing more and more that I cannot afford not to live accordingly.

The greatest thing that I, or you, can offer kids in Africa, your friends, spouse, fellow staff... is our personal holiness. And, I am learning more and more just how much it matters to God- he does not desire most the work that I do- even if it involves orphans in Africa- he desires me. can I get a witness? Mmmhhh... (that was my charismatic groan of agreement)

This blog has been posted so that you can know this struggle in my life- a Christian for many years, a missionary— but can also be assured that after so many years I am still thoroughly convinced that there is no greater joy than to know Christ more.

And, all this started in a manger 2009 years ago.

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
His paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever give to God that God should repay him?
For from him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

Recommended Listening:
Ravi Zacharias podcasts – a bit more intellectual
Andy Stanley podcasts – great truths in plain English
Isaac Hunter podcasts – great truths from a wise (and entertaining) man