Like most moms, the school calendar has become my family’s guide to a new year. January may get to claim a new numerical year, but our world recalibrates in September.
New schedules. New routines. New faces. New activities. New responsibilities.
So, this being the first week of school, I wanted to offer 3 suggestions on how to start this school year off ready for success.
1. Start each day with the attitude of “I give up!” If I had to share the one truth that has made the most profound impact on my life it would be this: I don’t have what it takes to live any kind of successful, fruitful life for Jesus. {Check out John 15:5 if you don’t believe me.}
We might as well throw in our towels right now, ladies, because it ‘s true.
Here’s why: we were never intended to live our lives for Jesus. That’s something that most of us have learned wrong. Very wrong. The truth is that we were created to live from Jesus and Him through us. We were called to live IN CHRIST.
This distinction, though subtle in appearance, is huge in theology. Asking Jesus to help us live for Him is like asking for a divine blessing on our efforts to do what He wants us to do. God’s not interested in what we can do for Him. Instead, Christ desires to live His life through us.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Then Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4
For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28a
So, if we were wise, we’d start each day ready to give up. No more getting to the end of our rope. No more trying to muster up more strength. No. We’d be doing much better to surrender right from the start.
Maybe, we could begin with a prayer that sounds something like this: Lord Jesus, I know now that I’ve gone about trying to live my whole life the wrong way. I have tried and tried to live for you – to make my mark on this world for you. I have tried, with your help, to do a work for you. But today, I quit. I understand now that You are my very life. So whatever needs to be done, You will have to do it through me. I am going to rest in you. You are my life.*
And then, as we go through our day, we could practice living in Him. We clothe ourselves with Jesus.** We could breathe out prayers of “more grace” – of “be my strength, be my patience, be my (fill in the blank of whatever you need Him to do in you right at that moment)” – prayers that remind us to submit to His authority – prayers that keep us grounded in our intimate connection and reliance on Him.
Stay tuned for suggestion #2 – Stop All Religious Activity!
*Adapted from a prayer from Steve McVey, author of Grace Walk
** I happen to know of a great Bible study that walks you through what it means to clothe yourself in Jesus. It’s called the Wardrobe of Christ. Ask me if you’d like to know more about it!
Leave a Reply