People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. they can never turn back, and
3. they no longer have plans of their own.
-A.W. Tozer
Unfortunately I find that too often, I don’t do well at any of the three.
Though I only face one direction at a time, I sure like to change that direction from one minute to the next. I not only turn back, but sometimes I even run in the wrong direction. And I am quick to ask Jesus to step down off the throne of my life so that I can sit there again and make all sorts of my own plans, even though I told Him that He would be King.
So I need to pray: God, help me to face one direction – toward You. Help me to never turn back, not even to take a quick glance behind. And help me to give up all of my plans for Yours, because Your plans for me are better than the dreams I have for me.
He has told me to have a heart for the lost and be on-mission for Him no matter where I am going. But what I find is that I will never be a missionary until the lostness of another grieves my heart.
I am so glad that my lostness grieved the heart of God and therefore Jesus came to earth to serve, to suffer, to be rejected, to be beaten, to be despised, to be crucified, to die – and to take my place as the substitute for my evil choices.
So now it is my turn to have a missionary spirit because the lostness of others without Christ grieves my heart. I’ve been where they are – without Him – now it is my responsibility to help them come to where I am – saved by His Amazing Grace.
I need God to break my heart for the things that break His heart. That requires me to get rid of selfishness and become selfless – a difficult feat in a society that tells us that the key focus should be on ME.
Tozer also said that the true follower of Christ will say, “This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!” May this also be my plea.
Are there other distinct marks you would add to Tozer’s list of three?
— brian rushing