It is astounding to have Christ use you as a vessel. As His joy swells in you, a fountain flows.

 

I have had the beautiful bewilderment of Him ordering my steps when I wasn’t even looking, building my faith all the more that He does not need me to know all things to get me where I need to be. It comes as a most exhilarating surprise quite often.

 

I’m thankful for a loving Lord that drops a word in my heart for another wounded warrior knowing little preaching was necessary….one word broke the yoke. He sees to every need. I must only learn to yield more and more. I plead often for Him to help me hear Him better instead of reverting back to methods that seem to be more of a reflex of teaching rather than a raining of the Spirit.

 

I can’t seem to get satisfied with His presence and His ways. They are as addictive to me as any sweet treat I could long for. One taste simply leaves me waiting with anticipation for the next.

 

It is the exchanged life.

 

This exchanged life is at the kind beckoning of a Savior when His eye has rested on a needy man or woman. Of course He could do it all by Himself, yet, the marvel of it all is He chooses to use human vessels.

 

I explained to my son again this week the importance of understanding he was fashioned by the Lord to fulfill a unique plan meant to love souls to Christ. I am always concerned we unknowingly teach as if God just gave us some ole plan once we arrived on earth. Oh no…His divine hands knitted carefully into your being every bit of personality, attributes, bent of the ole taste buds, gifts and talents, and hidden treasures and calling properties that would quite possibly not emerge until their appointed time and season. Every day planned before you were even one day old. May we make this clear to this generation. They were designed for the “thing.” Satisfaction will come from no other place. There is no way to separate one from that which Christ has made them to be; Man, Woman, Boy, or Girl. It is every part of WHO THEY ARE! Many are wandering aimlessly as if there was nothing after their secured salvation. Perhaps, we have failed to teach the beauty of adventures and assignments with Christ. I have found some of the easiest ways to stir up a seeking for Jesus is stories of how Christ meets us daily in ways we cannot explain. They want to hear real life stories and adventures with a living Christ! I use to teach girls how to watch for God to use them for “miracle deliveries.” I remember weeping as a Mom sent me a picture of her daughter who watched and saw a chance to partner with God in tending a hurting heart. She and Jesus delivered a miracle that day. She knew the joy of the exchanged life that day.

 

I had to make sure this was what my son would seek with Jesus…not what career might he desire but what calling Christ designed him specifically for. There is a difference. There would certainly be a drawing to something and I have found that even in my past business experience before Christ, He has unfolded its use in later seasons. I explained for him to watch as God unfolds His plan.

 

At times, I worry of the necessary crisis of faith required for him to come to know deeply the “man of sorrows.” For I have come to understand the Valley of Achor is what likely catapults deep roots that will not be swayed to and fro. At times I plead for Gods mercy until I remember my own harsh lessons of dying to self. Each one excruciating, yet necessary, to become one with the heart of Christ.

 

He, like me, will have to disappear. He will have to become less- so Christ can become greater.

 

It is the exchanged life.

 

Where no longer does one live but only Christ in me is left.

 

I fear many have asked for a life with Christ while still hanging on to the old one. There has been little, if any, true exchange.

 

Are you living the life He placed in you? It is far greater than any life you might otherwise choose.