For a little over two years I have been recording life from the
perspective of our ministry at Caribbean Mountain Academy. This was
a blog to record ministry updates, some personal updates, and family
updates. But all through the lens of keeping supporters in the
loop. I want to continue that blog, so if that's your jam, keep following
the Stroups Walking
on Waves page.
However, I find
myself frequently wanting to share the many things that God is developing in
me. The last two years have been significant in my spiritual
growth, for a lot of reasons, but I think first and foremost because I have
committed myself to spending time in Scripture every day. So, for my own
reference, I want to keep a greater inventory of all the things that God is
teaching me. I love to learn, and I love to write, and although I
don't anticipate any kind of large following, I do hope that anyone who does
read this blog is encouraged in their own desire to learn to walk
worthy.
Many of you are probably familiar with verses in the epistles where Paul exhorts believers to "walk in a manner worthy". My favorite passage with this concept in Colossians 1.
Verses 9-14 read:
9 And so, from
the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you
may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the
Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with
all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with
joy; 12 giving thanks[d] to
the Father, who has qualified you[e] to
share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has
delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the
kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have
redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
There's a lot here. But the truths prayed over the church in Colossae resonate so deeply in my heart.
Paul asks with passion, for that church to be,
Filled
with the knowledge of God's will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Why?
So
that you MAY walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
FULLY
Pleasing to him.
Bearing
fruit.
Increasing
in the knowledge of God
Being
strengthened according to HIS glorious might.
For
all endurance
For
patience with joy
GIVING
THANKS to the Father...
Why?
Because
He has qualified you to share in the inheritance...
Delivered
you from the domain of darkness...
Transferred
you to the kingdom of his beloved Son...
Who
earned us redemption... forgiveness of sin.
So that I can walk worthy.
So
that I can bear fruit.
So
that I can increase in knowledge of God - who He is, what He has done...
So
that I can experience HIS strength in my weakness.
So
that I can endure through whatever He takes me through, and come out more like
His Son.
So
that I can experience those seasons with patience and joy, not trying to force
an outcome, or skip over the hard stuff.
So
that I can glorify my Papa, and live a life of gratitude for what He has done,
and what He is doing in me, and somehow through me.
I don't know about you, but I want eyes enlightened by spiritual wisdom and understanding. Give me Holy Spirit eyes for Your Word, for all of this life, for my own wicked, deceived heart.
I want all that. Whatever it takes. However many times I have to confess, die to self, and come back to the cross. I want to walk in a manner worthy of what He has started in me. In my family. In my relationships with others. In my ministry. In whatever He calls me to.
So that's what I want to talk about here. How He is doing that work in me.... when I am willing.
And
sometimes when I am not.
Oh Erin, I love your willingness to bear your soul, describe your journey and give us insight how to pray and support you!
ReplyDeleteLove you sll! Aunt Sparkles
so excited to be able to keep up with you in this more personal way. thank you for sharing your heart! <3
ReplyDelete