I find it ironic how simple and yet profound the concept of receiving is. I ‘get’ things all the time but getting and receiving are not the same thing. I may get a friend request from someone on facebook but I must choose to receive it. I may be dying of thirst and ask for a glass of water, but once I get it I would look stupid if I didn’t drink it. I must receive it. In this same way God has forgiven me and lavishes me with love, grace, and mercy. But it is up to me to receive all these from Him each day.
John1:12 (NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-
I can hear and read all about how much God loves me, but it is up to me to receive His love. Over the years I have become really good at doing and saying the right things, but recently I am taking more time in making sure that the fundamental truths I believe are resonating in my heart; that I am really accepting them. When I receive them, my outward behavior and actions really change. At one point in time there was a part of me that really felt like some things were so rooted in me that they would never change. I wanted to just chalk these things up to being my ‘thorns.’ However, as I have revisited this concept of receiving from God and practiced it, I have seen great changes. Instead of jumping all over a friend in judgment I was able to obey the Spirit within me and be quiet. Instead of trying to jump in and help in another situation I was able to take a step back and trust that God would work it out in due time. I don’t always have to say what I think or act on what I see, even if what I see is completely legitimate.
Psm 107:20 (NIV) He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Rom8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
When I receive God’s love, I trust Him more and am able to rely on Him and not myself. I am less critical of others because I am less critical of myself. God loves me despite my mistakes and failures. His love is not restricted to the day I think I preformed well. I don’t have to apologize for sticking my foot in my mouth as often because I am able to use restraint. This is a huge victory for me!
Eph3:16 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
I have God’s Spirit to guide me, but it is up to me to listen to it and to seek Godly wisdom. In the past I have greatly underestimated and underutilized the Spirit's power. I relied on it only in efforts to change my behavior. With greater understanding of God’s love I can see that I can rely on it to change my character, even my personality. As I let go of past hurts I exchange them for God’s truths and His love. My inner strength to overcome my sinful nature comes from God’s Spirit. I need to rely on it to handle every day life and conversations over relying on my own knowledge. Let’s face it, we know when we are smart and when we have smart things to say and it can be really easy to just say them without pause or reflection, without measuring up our worldly wisdom against God’s biblical wisdom first.
Eph3:19 (NIV) and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
When I am grounded in God’s love I am less likely to rely on self. I am also more in tune with what is not from the Spirit. If I feel pressured, confused, anxious, controlled, overly emotional, or stressed about something it is not from the Spirit. When I feel this way I have learned to really take the time to pray and not act on it or seek advice, use a sounding board that is more neutral and unbiased. The Spirit does not push or shove, God does not twist my arm until I give! The Holy Spirit is gentle, wise, calm; it reveals, declares and discloses God’s truths to me. When I listen to it I am able to rely on God so much more. I am able to encourage others more. I am able to focus on what is in front of me and enjoy the moment instead of looking back or getting caught up in my hypotheticals.
Ecclesiastes 5:20 (NIV) He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
Psalm 46:5 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."