“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
We seek change only because we seek for the best.
We cannot expect the power of God without the presence of Him. Therefore for more of His power we need more of His presence. For more breakthrough we need more of Jesus. For more revival we need more of the Holy Spirit.
We need hunger and love. We have to learn to change as we are led. We then encounter a shift for better.
Just as in a marriage continual militant dissatisfaction and annoyance will escalate into failure in a relationship and rejection, so will it pull down instead of raise up a loving body of people.
We in truth must be so in love with Jesus and one another as His bride that we are always hungry for better and so led by love for change and victory.
The quality of our love will enhance our growth and unity and when we live satisfied and grateful for what we have transformation begins.
Jesus loves the church, He does cause correction and speak truth to make her more spotless and pure but only in love not in condemnation.
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”
Church arises, emerges and brings forth beauty and what God is calling us to.
Just as a sculptor such as Michelangelo chips away to remove rock that is unwanted for the piece of beauty to emerge, so God refines us with loving care and precision into His masterpiece of beauty He beholds in us.
The children of God led by Moses towards the promised land did not enter it because of dissatisfaction and grumbling. We the remnant must not be similarly cursed and prohibited from living in a place of obedience, love, joy and peace.
The season we leave behind has its place but must not lead us to abandonment and isolation.
Instead it must propel us from desiring less darkness to wanting more light. To see beyond and beneath what it has looked like and has been to what it can be.
See beauty and bring it forth and let that displace that which should not be there because it is better.
Our focal point must not be so much on grumbling, accusing partners with Satan. Criticism breaks people and steels their victory. We’ve seen this as potential Gold medalists in the Olympics retire before they compete fearful their best is not enough.
We are responders to Jesus who edifies and builds and sees our best when we can’t and contends for us. The eternal encourager for better, for hope, for victory already known.
We seek change because we seek and see the best.
The illustration shows us purposefully striding forward proud to be victorious with Christ United in His love and desire for the best. Alight in power and purpose pushing back the darkness and death of criticism.
Three Scriptures that come to mind:
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”Revelation 19:7-8 ESV
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 27 ESV
The song Better. Brandon Lake + Tianna Horsey
https://youtu.be/_06CD9YQp9Y
Lessisgreater 