Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
1 Corinthians 6:15b, NIV*
Talk about an odd verse for God to use to correct me! This is not exactly on my list of temptations. But I knew what He meant.
I’ve been thinking lately about Oswald Chambers’ challenge to “keep my conscious life as a sacred place for the Holy Spirit” (Nov. 7 reading, My Utmost for His Highest, updated edition edited by James Reimann) and about the challenge to practice the presence of God throughout the day.
I need the peace of Christ to rule in my heart (instead of allowing anxiety to reign); the mind of Christ to rule my thoughts (to make them obedient to Him instead of dwelling where they shouldn’t) and the grace of Christ to be a guard on my lips (to keep errant thoughts from slipping out in irretrievable words). I’ve made it into a prayer of sorts.
On this particular day I was driving to work, listening to a favourite worship CD and remembering the need to stay close to God. The biggest challenge at that moment was in the thought department: I was tired and a bit on the cranky side.
Zing went the prostitute verse through my thoughts. I hadn’t even read it recently! But God’s message was clear: what about expecting the mind of Christ to unite with the cranky mind? Was that any different?
The surprise factor did in the cranky nature, and the day came into much better focus.
Holy and merciful God, if I want to cultivate a sacred space for the Holy Spirit to work and rule in my life, I can’t expect Him to share it with the offensive things I bring in. Thank You for Your grace and patience to teach me your ways, and please open my ears to hear and my heart to learn.
∞
“Refiner’s Fire” makes a good prayer for us all. This is Brian Doerksen’s rendition.
*THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Ah, ’tis the season! Tired and cranky are easy to be in the season of mirth and ho ho ho! 🙂 That verse got my attention! Thanks for sharing.
Got my attention too! Peace, my friend, and quiet joy despite the tiredness!