Beneath the Surface

Lately I have been doing a lot of thinking. I am the kind of person who is constantly trying to find areas of my life to work on, character traits that could use some adjusting. One particular thing that I have been working on is taming my tongue. Let me tell you, I am a sharp speaker. I know that speaking is part of God's call on my life, and it is definitely something that could use help. I will say, I work on being encouraging and uplifting with my words, and I'm getting pretty good at it. However, I am also very quick to criticize, defend and offer clever snapping remarks. Don't let the sweet face fool you, behind these freckled lips is a little pink monster. It's a battle each day to restrain that little fellow, but he puts up a pretty good fight and sometimes (alright most times!) I tend to agree with what he has to say. However, how he says it is not always...how should I put this...kind.

Lately I have also been reading a lot of books. One in particular is a collection of Amy Carmichael's writings. It's called You are My Hiding Place, and let me say, I highly recommend it. Amy offers such remarkable little insights on day to day living that are so uplifting and challenging. I read one about a month ago and I thought I might share it with the few of you hear to read it today. She was talking about those little moments we encounter each every day that she calls, a chance to die.

Today, someone was irritating me so badly. This person was criticizing me because they themselves lacked a discipline that I have worked very hard to achieve. At first, I started to fight back. My words were sharp, blunt and to the point. They of course, came back with a irrelevant remark that bothered me...then that's when Amy's words flashed through my memory. "See in this...a chance to die."

Amy writes, "See in this, this provoking, this rebuke that should not have been, a chance to die. To self, to pride that comes from defending self. Welcome anything that calls you to your only true position, "I have been crucified with Christ..." (Gal. 2:20).

I was right in this matter. Though I often believe I am right when I am not (and that's a whole different story...) this time, I know I legitimately was correct. Yet I realized, it was time to die. I would not give them what they wanted. I would not make a witty rebuttal. I would let them have their say and let that be the end of it.

I love what Amy writes next: "The crucified life cannot be self-assertive. It cannot protect itself. It cannot be startled into resentful words. The cup that is full of sweet water cannot spill bitter-tasting drops, no matter how sharply it is knocked."

Yes, this was a small battle. Yet it is victories in the small battles that lead to victory in the larger ones. When we as believers recognize our place is on the cross, that is when we get to truly live. Let God be your defense. Let God do the talking.

How many of our problems in our lives could be eliminated if only we would see each day, every conflict, every opportunity, every prideful thought, every situation as a chance to die? When we are people who are willing to die, God can give us life that we desire. If we spend less time trying to be right and more time at the cross, words can no longer touch us. Pride fades away. Selfishness ceases. Gratitude grows great. Favor is found.

So when the "sharp knockings" of life come, will we let bitterness spill out, or will sweetness of a crucified life shine forth?
Lord, I pray that you help me recognize my chances to die. I give you the reigns. Be my defense, I'm done. My life is hidden with you. Take it and let your will be done in me.