Each morning when we wake we are faced with a plethora of thoughts that lead to decisions; choices that will often forever influence the lives, hopes, dreams, and beliefs of those in our realm of influence. The first decision we make everyday could very well be the most important of all, yet it is often made with the least amount of thought and consideration. No it is more the result of outside influences, a response to situations and circumstances often beyond our control.. You see for many of us our days begin with the unfinished left over challenges of the previous day looming over us demanding our attention. Next to them loom the demands and needs of our spouses, children, bosses, and so on, all wanting our immediate and undivided attention. You see, their needs and desires are never anchored in our needs or wants, but rather in the very fact that they exist. The laundry continues to pile up, the dirty dishes surely must have a party every night and invite their friends, the dust bunnies multiply faster than their air breathing counter parts, and so on. Yes these are just a few of the things that influence our first and most important decision of the day, and as a result they become the center of our being, the focus of our attention, the motivation for every action and reaction. They “the tyranny of the urgent” tends to identify who we are, dictate our actions, and prevent us from being whole and complete, unable to meet challenges on our terms, but rather respond to them on theirs.
So just what is the most important decision each of us faces on a daily basis? See if this works for you: it begns with a question,“who am I in Christ and who is He in me?” You see if I ask myself this question there can only be one answer; a new redeemed, creature, a person who has been bought and paid for by the precious blood of the Son of the Creator of all the universe! He has forgotten my sins and transgressions, He has given me new life and promised me eternal joy. He has found value in me therefore I am of value, I am important to the God and creator of all, I have His spirit in me! Doesn’t this suddenly change your perspective, are you not now excited to know and be reminded of such truth? To remind oneself of this truth on a daily or even hourly basis has a direct effect on our attitude, both about ourselves and about the circumstances surrounding us. If I remain confident in who I am in Christ then the image the devil is attempting to create of me and in me is suddenly exposed for who and what it is, a lie! If what he speaks is a lie and who he is is a liar then why do I spend so much time attempting to defend myself against something which needs no defense? The power the enemy has over us is as large or small as we allow it to be, so yes we are ultimately responsible for the strength of his power! The enemy doesn’t need to make men shameful of their evil hearts, wicked thoughts, and hurtful actions, all he need do is remind us on occasion, and we can take it from there. You see we do a good enough job of beating ourselves up on our own!
So how about we try something new for a change, what say we get proactive and disarm the devil before he even shows up on the battle field? How about we once and for all admit our failings, our misgivings, our fears, our doubts, our sins, and our transgressions, how about we openly confess before God and the demonic realm everything that we have ever done to feel guilty about? Wouldn’t that once and for all put to rest the fears of being found out? Would that not place our flesh in the proper perspective, wouldn’t this finally bring the darkness in to the light? You see if we understand and confess who we are without Christ its is only then we are able to completely comprehend our need for Him and thus recognize who we are in Him, victorious! Then and only then can we walk in the glorious power of knowing the answer to the question we all need ask, again and again, “Who am I in Christ and who is He in me?”
The result? Suddenly the “tyranny of the urgent” will so pale in comparison to the reality of Christ that it will no longer dictate who we are and rule our days, for in Him our joy is found and victory realized!
Pastor Gene Burroughs
Calvary Chapel Shasta Lake
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