Learning to Strive Not

After a week of up's and downs, frustrations, news feeds, discussions and uhmm, arguments (yikes and ouch) ,  I am confronted with II Timothy 2: 23-25.


"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"


Ouch.  I have to admit that I am a "striver."  My brain notices differences in words, sorts the truth of it,  challenging the statements given by any speaker or writer.  Discernment is a good thing.  Argument for the sake of pride or proof is not. My heart needs to be set before my words and response flow out.  Out of it, indeed, flow the issues of life.


"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." (Proverbs 4:23-24)


I change the "issues" of my life when I allow the Holy Spirit to change my heart into His heart.    This "heart keeping" takes diligence of thought on the truth that God is "greater than my heart."  God is "greater" than any "issues of life" that are currently throttling at my heart and mind to tempt me to "strive" rather than "strive not."


Some of my favorite words to rehearse are found in the hymn "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting"


Here they are:

"Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon thee,
As thy beauty fills my soul,
For by thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of thy loving heart.

O how great thy lovingkindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O how marvelous thy goodness
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is thine,
Know thy certainty of promise
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold thee as thou art,
And thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed.

Ever lift thy face upon me
As I work and wait for thee;
Resting 'neath thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with thy grace."




On my journey to "strive not" but "rest".