Good Luck With That One

            Something has been bothering me.  A radio announcer was telling his audience that he had decided that instead of New Year’s resolutions, he was looking for New Year’s revelation.  He shared what his revelation was.   He was seeing areas of selfishness in his life that he needed to correct.  He then told us that he was going to work very hard on those areas of selfishness.  He challenged all of us to look for something comparable in our lives that needed improvement or help.  Then, we, like him, should go about working on that area with great determination. 

                I was a little bit excited when I heard his initial admonition to look for some revelation instead of coming up with some kind of resolution.  I am afraid he missed his own point.  And as I drove further down the road, I found myself thinking, “Good luck with that one, buddy.” 

                I was waiting for his revelation about who God is and who he is in Christ.  But, his “revelation” was about where he needed to exert his own effort to “clean up his act”.  He will fail.  But, God knows this already.  In this man’s failure, may find that “revelation” he was looking for.  I hope that he does. 

          So, I will take up the radio announcer’s challenge and meditate on some of what God has been revealing to me about Himself.  He is God and I am not.  He is the Creator of the Universe and the One who hung upon a tree for me – even knowing all of my future sin.  He is the One who causes me to stand and to change and to be remade.  Jesus is the answer for any change in my life, not my own “righteous deeds” that are like a “polluted garment”. (Isaiah 64:6)   I know that apart from Jesus, I can do nothing. (John 15)  So, keep me from trying, Lord.  What I need is not a “what” but a “Him”.  I do not need anything new or more of anything else.  All I need is Jesus.  He is enough.  

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom