Following the Lord and Living to Him



I've had a long history with Christians on Campus, since I was a freshman in college. There I got connected with Judy, an older sister in the Lord, whom I love dearly. From that moment on, our ongoing fellowship has helped me go through various spiritual crises.

Recently, living my life has been quite challenging (isn't this everyone's story?) I'm the kind of person who wants to excel in everything that I do, but it soon becomes excruciatingly difficult when everything appears to be the first priority. In short, giving 100% at all times, in all things, drains both my mental and physical capacities.

I know time management. The key is to wisely prioritize, right? Yet the main problem is I truly, genuinely, consider that all my responsibilities are equally important. Now what? Not only that, when I managed to drop one of the balls that I've been juggling, I got so condemned, fearing the judgment from others. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn't it? But again, isn't this everyone's story? So it came to a point where I just had to drop everything, talk to the Lord, and then pick up the phone. I called Judy.

I'd have to say I was comforted when she said, "Katherine, you know what, I have the same problem." It didn't stop there though. She continued to share about this practice of following the Lord moment by moment. Our God is the God of measure (2 Corinthians 10:13). Everyday He has apportioned to us our measure, but we will never know what's too much or what's too little unless we ask Him!

Often when we hear about following the Lord, we immediately think about the big decisions in our life.

Yet the most practical, primary matter in following the Lord is actually to live to Him moment by moment.

"Lord, what should I do next?"

"Lord, I'm about to meet this person. What should I say to her?"

"Lord, I'm going shopping. Go with me."

"Lord, I'm sorry but I just can't do this. Help me."

"Lord, I can't bring my body to wake up. Live through this day for me."

As I'm inquiring and conversing with Him, I would take the steps in faith with an endeavoring spirit to attain, fully trusting in Him for what He's doing and has arranged in my day. During the course of the day, if things work out a certain way, I take it from the Lord. If things wouldn't work out in any way, I also take it from the Lord. At the end of the day, there is rest and peace with no condemnation.

Living to Him is to practically live before His eyes, face-to-face with Him all the time.

I'm glad that Judy didn't withhold anything from me because I know that on one hand, this is the highest requirement to live the Christian life. By no means easy! Yet on the other hand, I also know that at the end of the day, this is what's going to save me to the uttermost. Yes, saved from condemnation, comparing myself with others, and even on the other side of the spectrum, saved from languishing with my time.

2 Corinthians 5:15 says,
"And He died for all that those who live may no longer live to themselves but to Him who died for them and has been raised."

Comments

  1. I can wholeheartedly say AMEN to this. Many Christians think we need to check with the Lord only about the BIG decisions in our life, but what about the many small decisions we need to take daily? Whether a Christian student on campus, a husband, a wife, an office-goer-and-worker, etc - we need to ask Him continually about things. Just check with this Living One within - Lord Jesus, what do You think about this?

    This really gives new meaning to the verse, Praying Unceasingly. We somehow need to learn to spiritually breathe all the time. How? We call on the name of the Lord, we ask Him things, we thank Him, and we just open to Him. There has to be a continual traffic between us and Him!

    What's so sweet about this is that it is NOT legal, it's not "we HAVE to do this, even though we don't want to". Rather, once we touch the Lord, once we start conversing with Him, there's a sweet flow, there's a rich supply, and there's so much to talk to Him about! This is how we follow Him - by checking with Him about everything and by following the sense of life within!

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    Replies
    1. You reminded me of 1 John 2:26 about how the inner anointing teaches us about all things and how it is real anointing that leads us moment by moment.

      Thanks for sharing, Stefan!

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  2. I enjoy what you wrote,

    "Our God is the God of measure (2 Corinthians 10:13). Everyday He has apportioned to us our measure, BUT we will never know what's too much or what's too little unless we ask Him!"

    Throughout the day, to live to Him, we can simply ask the Lord. Not just for the big things but even for the small things.

    Thank you for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for following my blog, Dana. By His mercy and grace, may we live to Him in all things... at all times.

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  3. Amen.
    Amen.
    AMEN!
    Like you said. We all experience this. I'm experiencing this!! I really want to give up. But your post encouraged me to just open to the Lord. We can't do it. I can't live this life!!!!! But when the we open to the Lord in tiny, personal ways, He has a way to operate in us and to fill us with His strength, life, and peace.

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    Replies
    1. Your comment is such an encouragement to me, Rebecca. May the Lord continue to encourage us!

      Haggai 2:4-5,

      "...and be strong, alert, and courageous, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work! For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts.

      According to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not."

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  4. This is something I need to get into. I've been interested in coordinating with the top vital group in the universe--the Triune God, and this certainly sounds like exactly that.

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    Replies
    1. Coordinating with the Triune God! That's a very interesting point, but in my experience, that's definitely true. It's like a continual practical fellowship with the Triune God.

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