Less of Me

Lord, I want to express to you how grateful I am for your hand in my life. I know that I am nothing without you. Anything that I could do on my own is wood, hay and stubble. I see that you are in the process of creating precious metals and stones through my life – materials that will survive a trial by fire. Thank you for that. I open my life to your calling and your will. I pray, as I have many times before, that thy will be done in, around and through my life.

Lord, I want to thank you specifically for working in my life to release me of my pride and fear. I have noticed the symptoms of these spiritual issues recently becoming less frequent. In situations where I have expected to have fear, I have exuded strength.. or I should say that you have exuded strength through me. I realize that my behavior and choices allow the path for you to exert your control in my life situations. For example, when I’m faced with a situation where honesty and integrity is the more difficult and apparently less rewarding path and I choose honesty and integrity anyway, I can actually feel your presence. I feel your strength welling up inside of me. I become more confident, and more well spoken. Thank you for that.

Michael, your symptoms of fear are actually your pride at work. When you feel fear, it is your mind trying to control a situation, instead of true submission to me. Even in a life and death situation, what is important is submission to me rather than self-preservation through fear. I will be your protector.

Now, for those reading this, you cannot take these words as personal for you as well. You cannot read what I say to Michael and necessarily apply it to your own life. My will will be evident in your life only to the degree that we share an intimate relationship, which is based on the time we spend together. I want to know you – I want you to be vulnerable with me – and I want you to know me. But without that relationship and evidence of my presence in your life, self preservation is a necessary thing, insomuch as you are working toward opening yourself more to me every day so that I can become more in control of your life. To the degree that you allow my control of your life, will be the degree that you can trust my protection in times of potential fear.

Lord, I don’t feel comfortable with you addressing my readers. I’m very sensitive right now to being viewed as ..

As what?

As a false prophet? Would that term be accurate? I don’t want to represent myself as your spokesperson, but I do know that you are obviously capable of speaking to others through me.

Michael, your concerns are valid. It’s something that you are currently working through in your spiritual growth, and that’s a good thing. The fact that you wrote the above instruction intended for your audience is also a good thing – you didn’t resist it, you let it flow out. If I want to address your audience, I will do so and have a good reason for it. Do not stifle my word. There may come a time, that the proportion of instruction is less directed toward you and more directed toward your audience. You are not my spokesperson – you do not speak on my behalf. I am merely speaking through a vessel that has submitted themselves to me and does not take the glory for my word.

Ok.. it still makes me uncomfortable though.

That’s ok. Fear is always uncomfortable. It’s how you deal with that fear that matters. When you fear the unknown, which growth naturally produces, do you trust me or resist me? That is an important aspect of your rate of growth.

On a different subject, have I done what you intended by inviting pastoral readership and council?

Yes, Michael. Again, remember, you are collecting their input, but you are to make up your own mind. They will present you with perspective, valuable perspective, and I want you to investigate through Bible research and then bring your questions before me. The Bible research is an important piece, it’s the one constant that I have provided to stand the test of time. You will find your answers and reassurance there. Do not skip this critical step.

I guess I just need to know where to look.

That’s exactly why you are seeking council.

It’s so funny, maybe amazing is the better word, how your guidance always ends up making such logical sense in the end, even when I don’t quite get it in the beginning or even in the middle of doing what you call me to do. I suppose that, too, is evidence of a real and true relationship with you.

Thank you for all of the evidence you provide, thank you for your patience and your guidance. Thank you for your love, I know I don’t deserve it.

You may not deserve it, but I do. My glory will shine through you. That is not a credit to you, but only a credit to me. I’m using cold wording here for a purpose. This is information you must accept at face value. You do not “deserve” anything. Your life is a gift, your salvation is a gift, the opportunity to experience my love is a gift. It’s all a gift – you don’t deserve it. However, through your actions and choices, you may inherit what is waiting for you to claim. The opportunity to claim that inheritance is also a gift, and one that you would not have without the gift of salvation. So take yourself out of the picture. You are simply recognizing love that’s always been there, and experiencing the potential of my love to flow through you, the way it has always been meant to flow.

I can accept that Lord. I long to be in your presence. I cherish your presence in my life, and look forward to eternity with you. But I’m here for a purpose, and I eagerly await the unfolding of that purpose.