Christ Lives in Me

DAILY READING

Galatians 2:20

REFLECTION

Getting Plugged In

by Mary McGinnis

Last week, I had to apologize to a friend. There were tensions that had arisen which had escalated. Finally, this friend had to tell me some uncomfortable truths. 

The "truth telling" conversation we had by phone haunted me for days. I felt so ashamed and embarrassed. I knew there were things that caused this situation that were outside of my control, and I wanted to keep blaming THAT SITUATION and make excuses for my own actions. Yet, my conscience would not rest. Finally, I made the decision that I had to call my friend and apologize, take ownership of what I had done and ask for forgiveness. 

How does this relate to today’s passage? One of the reasons I was struggling with picking up the phone and apologizing was because accepting responsibility left me feeling vulnerable, open to shame, and the possibility of loss. Admitting I was wrong meant the loss of my self-imposed image of “being right,” the loss of respect, the loss of feeling like I had it all together, and perhaps even a loss of a friendship. It was a kind of dying to myself. 

And believe me, in those days between the “truth telling” phone call and my apology, the Enemy had plenty to say to me about how unworthy, foolish, and shameful I was. I kept hearing, “How could I have let this happen? You are such a mess up! You are hopeless.  Why bother?”

Yet, the loving voice of Jesus kept knocking on my heart. “You are my child!  I love you! I have forgiven you. I died for you! You don’t have to hide or self-protect. You can entrust yourself to me.”

This gave me the courage to step into what I knew the Holy Spirit was prompting me to do! Apologize and know that even if things were NEVER made right in this relationship again, my hope would hold firm in the new Life in Jesus.  His power lives in me. 

Just like a light cannot be illuminated until it is plugged into a 220-volt outlet, today’s verse (Galatians 2:20) reminds us where our power comes from!   

This quote from Martin Luther says it beautifully:

“Faith connects you so intimately with Christ, that He and you become as it were one person. As such you may boldly say: ‘I am now one with Christ. Therefore, Christ’s righteousness, victory, and life are mine.’

On the other hand, Christ may say: ‘I am that big sinner. His sins and death are mine, because he is joined to me, and I to him.’” (Luther)

Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me and giving Yourself for me, as sinful and unworthy as I am.  Teach me to plug into this assurance each day as I walk out this life.  Remind me ever day that it is no longer I who live, but You, the victorious, resurrected Lord of ALL, who lives in me! 

Prayer Practice

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.