In Other Words--Be Consecrated

"The littleness of Christians of this age results from the littleness of their consecration to Christ."
C. H. Spurgeon
Samson Conquered, sermon from November 21, 1858

As I mentioned recently, God really spoke to me in a sermon about Samson. The preacher quoted extensively from this sermon by C. H. Spurgeon. The entire sermon is worth reading, but this quote resounded with me. Although it is ironic that one of the "least little" Christians of a recent age should say this. Perhaps in the place of consecration one only sees the areas that still need to be consecrated?

I should note that the point of this sermon was not that one should strive to be "big" Christians (whatever that really is). Instead he was saying that the more we allow ourselves to be set apart for God's work, the more he is able to accomplish things through us. Christians do not see God at work in their lives because they do not set their lives apart for God to work.

This really strikes me. I frequently hear friends say that they don't see God at work in their lives. They may recognize it in other people, but not in their own life. I wonder if it is because they haven't dedicated themselves in such a way to see God at work. This is not about salvation. Dedicating our lives to God in asking him to save us is different than a dedication of seeing him drive our lives. I feel like we, as a Christian populace in general, do not consecrate (set apart) ourselves frequently enough.

Let me try to explain my disjointed thinking with a couple of examples. German and I feel that God has given us gifts in hospitality and discipleship. With every move we make, we enter into that move asking God to lead us to a house that we can minister from in terms of hosting people and groups. Our homes are, as much as we are able, consecrated to God. Time and time again that prayer has been answered and blessed. Last year we calculate that there were only 3-4 weeks that we did not have a ministry group meeting in our home. We are blessed by the people that come and go out of our lives. But I do not think that it happens by accident. It happens because we have said "our home is yours, it is given by you, so use it" and he does.

Conversely, there are areas of my life that I do not always see God moving. I struggle with frustration, and eating correctly, and patience with the children. There are days that I am clearly losing the battle in these areas. When that is happening I have come to realize that it is because I am doing them in my own strength. Those areas are not set apart with expectation that God is doing something. They are struggles I am undertaking on my own. I become an ineffective "little" Christian because I am doing it myself rather than consecrating it to God.

Are you struggling? Do you feel as if God is not acting in areas of your life? Maybe you are like me and need to re-consecrate that area to him. May I encourage you to join me in that journey. Do you have areas where God is moving mightily? May I ask you to share those successes with us, to encourage us as we seek to see the same.

Thank you so much for joining us for In Other Words this week. I pray that you find something here that encourages you or makes you consider a new aspect in your walk with our Saviour. Please visit the other ladies who faithfully write each week and encourage them as well. I am having some internet issues, so it may take me a while to visit everyone, but I will get there eventually. Have a blessed week!