Changed From the Inside Out

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

You'd think it would be the easiest thing in the world to do--just believe, "God loves me." Actually, it's hard to believe, maybe the hardest step we've ever had to take.

People much wiser than I am say so. Paul says, "The carnal [natural] mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). And yes, everybody has the problem for he also says that the whole world is alienated from God for he begs everybody, "Be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). He adds, there is "not one" of us who "understands," who is naturally "at one" with God; we've every one of us strayed out of the path (Rom. 3:11-12). The father in Mark 9 burst into tears, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief" (vs. 24). He is us.

We're afraid to pray, "Lord, take charge of my life," for we think He will lead us where we won't be happy. Don't kid yourself into thinking you're naturally better than all the rest of us; you and I need to be changed from the inside out so we can be "reconciled to God." Then and only then can we pray without being a hypocrite, "Lord, please take charge of my life." You won't be afraid to let Him hold you by your hand as He has promised, "I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not" (Isa. 41:13).

A very wise writer once wrote that we hesitate to consecrate ourselves to Him because we fear the consequences of a total surrender to Him. Deep down inside, there lurks that inarticulate idea that our Savior is Mr. Kill-joy. Ever since we were born some people have unconsciously taught us that--they didn't mean to do it but they did.

What to do? Take a day off for prayer. But if you think you're too busy, you can't, then take an hour. Yes, give Him an hour--alone. An hour, not five minutes. Kneel. Read a Psalm of David. Ask, seek, find. An hour--alone. Wait for Him.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 3, 2002.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.

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