More Than An Answer
Christ Is Our Life
"Christ, who is your life..." — Colossians 3:4
The Answers I Wanted
I've spent a good part of my life asking the Father for answers.
Sometimes I needed wisdom. Sometimes I needed direction. Other times I simply wanted Him to change a circumstance that felt bigger than I was. Looking back, I don't think those were the wrong prayers. They were simply the prayers of a son who needed his Father.
What I didn't realize was that while I was asking the Father for answers, He had already given me something far greater.
He had already given me Himself.
An Old Friend
Andrew Murray has been one of the companions on my journey for many years. Every time I return to Abide in Christ or Absolute Surrender, it feels less like opening a book and more like spending time with an old friend.
He uses the picture of a physician. A physician works from the outside, treating what is broken until we no longer need his care.
Jesus does the opposite.
He doesn't simply help us exist.
He lives and works from the inside and becomes our life.
I realized I had spent years asking Jesus to help me live the Christian life, while all along He had been inviting me to let Him live His life through me.
The Gift Behind Every Gift
I still ask the Father for wisdom, and I still bring Him the questions that don't have easy answers.
What has changed is where those prayers begin, and that is in Him.
Before I ever ask Him for strength, Christ is already my strength. Before I ever ask Him for peace, Christ is already my peace. Before I ever ask Him for life, Christ is already my life.
The Father settled the deepest need of my life when He gave me His Son.
Walking Together
I'm no longer asking Jesus to help me live for Him. I'm learning to let Him live His life through me.
The Father's desire has always been more beautiful than simply helping me through life. He has invited me to share His life, and I've found that every answer I've ever needed is already held within that gift.
Everything begins there.
Reflection
Have I been seeking the Father's answers more than His heart?
Where is He inviting me to receive the life we already share?
How might today look different if Christ truly is my life?
Prayer
Abba Father, thank You for giving me more than answers. Thank You for giving me Yourself.