Sometimes, unless we let our guard down…
David Crowder* Band “O Praise Him”
Sometimes, unless we let our guard down, (which is one of the hardest things to do as men) we can never really move on in the Christian life. Our Christian experience seems dry, praise and worship doesn’t break-though as we fight to take control. Through my own experiences I have found the most amount of blessing came at a time that I had nothing left, physically and emotionally I cried out, it had felt like things were snapping and breaking inside of me. I no longer had it in me to even put up a guard – I was completely defenceless and open, and maybe that is where we as men need to be, we need to be in a state of brokenness. The truth is that when we let our guard down and expose our hearts we begin to realise what kind of men we really are – it is only at that precise point that we able to allow Him to take full control. Once fully committed you tend to wonder – what was I waiting for, why did I hold back? What was I thinking…?
I have found that over the last 10 or so years, the more I die to myself, the more I live. It’s a paradox but the more I put Him first, the more I live and experience life in a new, wonderful and blessed way. However, this doesn’t mean the elimination of my troubles and tribulations, or the cessation of storms and trying times. He never said it would be easy! The vital difference is that through it all, Jesus is my peace in the storm, my glimmer of hope in the darkness, my all in all.
Men like to be in control, and when we have that control taken away from us, it is like a piece of us is being pulled out from the core of our being and we become completely unravelled, hurt and misunderstood. This can happen when marriages break up, partners are unfaithful , job loss, children rebelling, addictions etc… the list is long. Have a look at how a man after Gods own heart comes to this exact same point:
For I was born a sinner– yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me– now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:5 – 10 (NLT)
What joy there is when Christ is at the centre on our lives, that through it all He is the one that doesn’t change! He is the light unto our path, He is the one that loves us and cares for us no matter what circumstances we get caught up in. He loves us so much that he has numbered the hairs on our heads. He is interested in the tiny details and yet He sees the overall picture. For He is and always will be, the perfect Father. I don’t know what your father was like maybe he was wonderful or awful… mine, well, let’s just say by the time I was 5 years old I began putting an emotional guard up when he was around – and now that I have two children of my own, I have learnt from his mistakes. He was nothing like Jesus, who accepts me for who I am, who wants me to constantly be reflecting His love into my children’s, my wife’s and my neighbours lives… and I can’t do it with my guard up. I can’t begin my mission in His mission field without giving Him total control. Sure I will be able to protect myself better when my heart is guarded but look at what I would miss out on:-
God gave me everything I hoped for
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise for men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for
but everything that I hoped for. . .
Almost, despite myself,
My unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Written by an unknown Confederate soldier
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light. Psalm 56: 8 – 13 (NLT)
What do you think?
