• What Is God Up To?

    March 2, 2009 - Comments (7)

    This morning, I picked up a book my friend gave me a while ago called, "Walking With God," by John Eldridge.  Took it to the gym with me, and sweat over the pages for a few minutes on the elyptical machine… This passage hit me today, wanted to share it with you.  It is in reference to the question he poses, "What is God up to?"

    “Think of how you feel when you really screw things up.  The look on your son’s face as you yell
    at him…How it tears you up inside to indulge in romantic fantasies about
    someone else’s spouse…The guilt you feel when you life straight-faced to a
    friend and they find out.  The
    hours you’ve wasted harboring resentment. 
    The embarrassment of your addictions.  You know what plagues you.  Now, what would it be like to never, ever do it again?  Not even to struggle with it.  What would your life be like if you
    were free of all that haunts you?

    Oh,
    the joy, the utter relief it would be to be transformed.  That in itself would be more happiness
    than most of us ever experience. 
    And-as if that were not enough-it would free us to live the life God has
    for us to live. 

    My
    friends, this is what God’s up to. 
    This is where our shepherd is headed.  Whatever else is going on in our lives, this is going
    on.  He is committed to our
    transformation.  So, if this is
    what God’s up to, wouldn’t it make sense that we be more intentional in
    partnering with him in our transformation?”

    If you're like me, you read this and immediately began replacing his examples of "screw ups" with a list of your own.  And he's right, what a RELIEF it would feel like to be totally set free from those.  And to think, this IS God's plan for us.  This is the work he wants to do in our lives.  How come I go my own way so often?  How come I don't spend more time with the only one who has the power to strengthen my weakness, forgive my screw ups, and change my ways?  

    Lord, help me walk with you today as if I believe that you are making me more and more into the image of you.  Help me remember that "life to the full" is found in you.  "For I came that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

    Matthew West POSTED BY:
    Matthew West

    • 7 comments

    1. 1. R man commented:

      Mon 2/3/09, 8:04 pm

      Matthew,
      These past weeks I have seen John 10:10 referenced several times. At youth group. In Church. At School. And now here. “He Came so that I may have life and have it to the full!” He is always here, when I screw up and when I am doing well. I can have life, even with my problems, and have it to the full!

    2. 2. Sue Oliver commented:

      Wed 4/3/09, 8:08 pm

      Thank you for blessing me with this (yeah, I had my list of screw-ups lined up!) and with your music. You are my absolute favorite artist and your lyrics speak to me every day.
      Your little baby is soooo darling…you are truly blessed!!
      Hugs~
      Sue

    3. 3. Troy commented:

      Thu 5/3/09, 5:37 am

      Love your music. Speaks to the heart! Wondering if you’ll release the chord progressions for “When I Say I Do” any time soon? Would love to use this for my wife on our 20th anniversary. Looking forward to worship with you at Lifest in Oshkosh, WI. We attend every year! God bless you and your ministry.

    4. 4. Jennifer Eckert commented:

      Sat 7/3/09, 8:31 pm

      What you read and wrote so aligns with your Motions Resolution. It’s amazing what God does and says through various means. The pastor of our Sunday Evening Service mentioned John 10:10 last Sunday in his sermon as part of the Salt and Light series we’re going through as a church. The series is written by Jerry Sheveland the president of Converge Worldwide (formerly the Baptist General Conference) and covers Act 8-15. Marty Magehee’s blog entry from March 2nd was just as thought provoking and also aligned with your Motions Resolution.

    5. 5. Tammy Carlton commented:

      Fri 20/3/09, 7:48 am

      God Bless you!

    6. 6. William commented:

      Thu 30/4/09, 7:56 am

      Yo Matthew,
      I listened to you yesterday on my way home from work, great last song you played live. That Van song will for sure hit the top 10 list.
      I also listened to you speak of your surgery and recovery, and how you gave God all the glory! Cool to hear how he worked thru you, the one thing I noticed about you tho was that you seem to have a new zeal. Not that you did not before, maybe I’m trying to say enhanced.
      I say all that to say this, the words you speak that are un-mistakeably from the heart on your recovery spoke directly to my heart. And those are the things that give people hope, but not just hope, it’s a faith increaser. It’s like a shot of B vitamin in my faith engine. Personally I tend to believe you might have been picked, because you got the heart of david, and not only could carry the burden, but in the end make sure all the glory went to Him.
      I do have 1 question, is there a reason why christian artist do not use a Shofar? I saw Phil Driscol use one a while back and he was the only one I have seen. I don’t know if you know Mylon LeFevre, I gave him one of mine, last time I spoke with him he was using it he said.
      Anyway Matthew, was real nice listening to you on my long drive home from work yesterday, bless yer beans off dude!!

    7. 7. Paula Soehrman commented:

      Fri 1/5/09, 8:56 am

      Matt,
      I heard your interview on KLOVE, dear brother in Christ: when we become believers our life in this world does not end. Only our time in this world ends. Therefore the brother who inspired the song Motions is not dead, just sleeping. We will see him again in the presence of our Lord Jesus. Keep up the Good Works. God Bless. Paula S

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