2 Timothy 3 is a challenging chapter but as with the rest of God’s word, it’s a mirror that I want to look into continually to assess my heart and intentions.
It’s not just about denying the outward supernatural acts and signs that take place.
And they do.
Wow, they do.
But I’m talking about the times we may be tempted to literally put our hands up, like a stop sign, denying the power of God to change us. Not allowing Him to go deeper. Putting a wall up and blocking access for Him to transform mindsets, mentalities, habits, addictions and even personality traits.
We cry out when we don’t see God’s power at work around us but yet, many times deny His power from working within us.
As the church continues to navigate news and revelations about those we follow and look up to, we would do ourselves a disservice to not let the Holy Spirit check our own hearts too.
And as we continue to journey through unknowns in relation to societal stress, pressure and some stuff that’s just plain nonsense, we need the reprieve that only God’s presence can bring.
My husband and I are dealing with that in our household. It’s our goal to have a safe place where our children can flourish. But with some of our kids dealing with unexplainable fear, and us losing sleep in the process, we are ready to do some housecleaning. We are asking the Lord to reveal some areas that need to be cut back or cut off.
Is there a toy that we need to get rid of? Do we need to cut off a streaming account? Is there a certain food that’s affecting them negatively? Are there words that have been said to them?
Lord, pinpoint the root and Get. It. Out.
It’s doing the work of Jael in Judges 4. Applying a tent peg to the things bent on destroying my family’s peace, no matter how familiar.
It’s not easy but I don’t want to deny it. I want see God do amazing things publicly. But in the same breath, I want Him to do amazing things in me. That moving from glory to glory that we are promised.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
Work within us Lord. Shine your light on the places that don’t reflect who you are. Help us to be as bold and courageous in the inner work as we are in the outer.
Amen
—Jenny Erlingsson
