Clear the Land

by Susan Sampson

It is a great blessing and joy to know that we are not alone. We are one body in Christ and the amazing truth is that the Holy Spirit dwells in each and every believer.  “For I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)  Lord help us believe this truth!!  What comfort and peace it brings to know this Christian walk is a journey and we have begun this journey of faith together!  I love the visual image of planting a seed;  I can picture a farmer standing over the dirt waiting and watching for the seed to grow.  That, of course, is ridiculous.  Growth is a process and I pray that truth encourages us.  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Cor. 3:6-7) 

But before we plant any seeds we must clear the land.  We must labor diligently to establish our time with the Lord.  There is truly nothing we can do that is more important each day.  Our to-do lists appear so urgent, but they are temporal.  This is the only way to know Jesus.  It is the only way to have a relationship with Jesus.  It is the only way to follow Jesus.  We can’t follow Him if we don’t know what He is saying.  As we look out and survey our fields and consider the seeds we will sow this semester, let us each take time this week to remove every obstacle, every distraction and everything that sets itself up against our time spent with the Lord.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Lord, help us love you because you first loved us.  Help us believe the gospel and live because Jesus died.  Help us die to self so others might live.  Help us turn in repentance from our sin and turn in faith to you.  Help us receive your mercy and forgiveness and walk forward in grace and truth.  Help us know and love and obey your word as an expression of our love and devotion.  Help us fix our eyes on Christ alone and not anyone else.

Lord we need you to enable us to truly take your gospel to heart and bring it to life!  May our thoughts, words, actions, and lives bring you glory.