The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (see John 1:35-37 and John 3:30). It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him— it means getting your second wind spiritually.In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God’s stride and His power alone are exhibited.It is difficult to get into stride with God, because as soon as we start walking with Him we find that His pace has surpassed us before we have even taken three steps.

He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus— “He will not fail nor be discouraged…” (Isaiah 42:4) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible.

Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose.

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October 12 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning Lord. This seems and feels like one more devotional from Oswald Chambers about how we must “step it up” or “measure up”. And that seems counter intuitive to the surrender and connection principles You have been giving us. Chambers writes…”The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (see John 1:35-37 and John 3:30). It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him— it means getting your second wind spiritually.

Lord when I read this I have trouble reconciling it to the simple notion that when we surrender our rights to ourselves, we simply release any and all thoughts of what is or is not mundane and boring service and what is extraordinary. It seems to me that there is not a first, second or third wind spiritually. When we surrender the right to ourselves there is simply Jesus, and our connection to and with Him. And all that follows is just me living out my life surrendered and connected; letting You lead me into life’s journeys, whether they are routine or extraordinary. Is that right Lord, or am I missing something?

And God says…”Many preachers and teachers use teaching tools such as metaphors, homilies, and hyperbole. Jesus taught in parables. Chambers is saying the same thing you are, namely that it makes no difference if you are on the mountaintop or living in the valley, you get “in step” with Me through surrender and connection, and it is all the same. All things work together for good for those that love the Lord. Seek first the kingdom of God; do not seek a mountaintop or the valley, or a routine or extraordinary opportunity. Just seek Jesus in your surrender and connection, and live out of that. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and I will make your paths straight. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own ideas and understanding, and I will make your paths straight.”