Take My Life (And Let It Be) Chris Tomlin [Lyrics]
Sometimes being a follower of Christ can be difficult. There are moments when it seems the joy of this new life is fading. We have doubts. We face difficult decsions that cause stress. We may have friends or family who do not agree with the choice we made. We make make choices that seem to contradict our decision to follow Christ.
This is why it is so important to continue meeting with your mentor. Make sure to tell him or her about any struggles you may be facing. Don't be afraid to be honest about your questions, struggles, victories, and decisions. It is also important to read and memorize Scripture. Communicate daily with God through prayer. As you continue to practice these foundational disciplines you will grow stronger in your faith.
Another good discipline is to allow God to reshape your life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" The prophet Isaiah put it this way. "Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isahiah 64:7-9) Watch this video to get a better understanding. In the Potter's Hands
We find our center through surrender
The video compares us to a piece of clay in the hands of a potter. It makes the statment that we find our center when we rest in the hands of the potter. The same is true with our relationship with God. We can only experience transformation as we have learned to trust God and rest in His hands. Read the verses listed below. What do they say about surrender? What can we expect God to do once we humble ourselves.
Notice how the potter presses his thumb into the center of the clay. Change takes place immediatly. The clay begins to take shape until it becomes a vessel. It is amazing to see the radical transformation take place right before our eyes. Believe it or not, this process has already started in your life.
Christians are constantly looking for ways they can grow stronger and closer to God.. In our search we discover that He is reshaping our lives--improving our character, deepening our faith, building our relationships. This process never ends. Sometims it seems difficult. Other times it is a wonderful adventure. Let's consider just a few actions we can take which will allow God to continue to transform our lives.
Eliminate negative influences. Remove the habits, lifestyles, choices and associations that are harming you or causing you to struggle. Hebrews 12:1
Become part of the Christian community. Meet regularly with others who also believe and follow Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25
Be bold. It may be frightening to think what people might think or do when they learn you are a Christian. But, keeping it a secret will set you up for failure. Don't be afraid to share your faith with others. Begin by telling those you trust. Romans 1:16, Matthew 5:16
He will lift you up...
In this stage the jar becomes a work of art. We witness gentle touch and creativity of the master. The Bible is full of examples of how God "lifts us up". Listed below are just few examples.
The narrator closes by saying that the potter can often see his own reflection in the water. Certainly the jar is a reflection of its creator. So it is with us. If God is reshaping our lives, we are going to become like Him. When people see us, they will recognize our creator. As we become more like Christ, we set the example for others to follow.
