“I love you, O Lord, my strength”

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” ~Philippians 3:10-11

I didn’t always understand the point of salvation and sanctification. After I accepted Jesus, I was content to know that I was saved from eternal separation from God by Jesus Christ. That was great! But, I struggled to understand the point. Why was I saved? Why did God create me?

In my late 20s, I searched for meaning in everything: my life, relationships, career, and experiences. Before knowing God, I longed fir these things to define my character. Then, I met God. In one evening (that’s a story for another time), I was recreated. I had new life as a Christian. I knew I’d changed, but didn’t know how or why. Years later, I now only begin to understand.

My search for purpose and meaning has led me to the words of Jesus, who said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
(Mark 12:30-31). It’s taken a long time for me to take form an explanation. He it goes:

Everything flows from our relationship with God. Literally. If we seek Him first in every situation, we’ll become capable, through God’s perfect love, to love our neighbors and execute His will.

Before I knew Jesus, I thought people prayed for help when all hope was lost. Then, I realized the prayer should come first and be rooted in the hope in the God who created the universe.

Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul’s referring to the temptation to devise a solution based on our own strength. Thus, the “way out” comes from our faithful Lord. How freeing is that?