Already there...

I've been reading Watchman Nee's book Sit, Walk, Stand recently and have really enjoyed it. I read it about 2 years ago or so and thought it'd be nice to pick back up. The book is entirely based off of Paul's writings to the Church of Ephesus in the book of Ephesians. Might want to check the book out for yourself (God created Amazon on the eigth day).

So I've been in the middle of a situation lately, and am presently still situated therein, and thus have felt the need and urge to pray to God for things such as strength, assurance, wisdom, and other similar attributes that would seemingly help me out in escaping from this little pit I have found myself in. So now I write to ask you if I am correct in asking for these things. *long, thoughtful pause....* Ok, ready for my take on the matter? I think that I am far from being correct in asking for them. No, I'm not saying that it's a sin to ask God for things or that it's a selfish deal or anything of the sort. Here's what I am saying...if Christ is part of our new being due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, then why must we rely on ourselves to get the job done and then when we can't do it on our own strength ask for His help? Has it clicked yet? We don't need to ask God for the wisdom because the problem is not the lack of wisdom, it's the self-efforts of ourselves! There is no lack in a Christian, they are, in a juvenial way of thinking, a super man among mere humans, but it is not of themselves that all things are possible, but because of and with Christ. I am trying to learn to let go and stop trying with all my might to do what is right, to say what is right, to be wise, to be strong, to be patient and loving and all those other things. Am I a quitter? No! Am I dropping from the race? No! I am merely letting myself go, realizing that Christ already is all those things and that according to Paul in Ephesians, I was "...made to sit in Christ...", thus enabling the possibility of Him to be all the strength, wisdom, discernment, etc... that I may ever need. But this also serves a great purpose, and this is the kicker that proves what may seem a mere theological 'theory' to you thus far as a spiritual fact...ready? Allowing Christ to be all those things that we need, to allow him to love our enemies through us instead of trying with all our might to love someone that we cannot help but hate brings Him, not us, all the glory. If we did it on our own strength then we could boast of the results and the triumph over hatred, death, despair, etc...but no, the glory is never meant for us, but rather it is always intended for the only one worthy of such praise, God Himself.

So I challenge you as I too am being challenged, let go of your efforts and realize what power lies within due to the grace of Calvary. Peace to all-