Music Monday: “Have Your Way” by Katy Nicole
By: Debbie Waltz
As I embark on the next phase of my writing journey, I can’t help but wonder if we’re rushing things. On the one hand, I’m eager to see the effect this novel will have, given that it took me 25 years to write. I don’t want to ruin the blessing my novel will have if I rush ahead of His Will or His plan. (Okay, so I know nothing can ruin it. God can make beauty out of anything. Besides, I don’t have that type of power.)
These thoughts frequently cross my mind. I’m not the first to think this way. Hebrews shows us that numerous church members were inclined to revert to the Jewish customs they grew up with. Throughout Hebrews, the author lists numerous reasons why Jesus is best. (No doubt, they endured more religious persecution than we have living in the country we do today. But as the Bible warns us, this will not always be true.)
For the last two weeks, we’ve studied God’s role as our High Priest AND his sacrificial atonement on the cross. This nullifies the initial agreement with His People, removing the need for animal sacrifices. We’ve seen how we can be transformed through Jesus’ sacrifice. Besides awakening our souls to the need for a Savior, it also gives us purpose.
Our discussion last week focused on God’s interest in how we respond. He wants people to be motivated not just by obligation, but by appreciation for his sacrifice. He prioritizes the relationship over other things. As we previously talked about, relationships need effort from both people. However, it’s not always simple. Why is it such a challenge? While we are new creations designed to live out God’s purpose (2 Corinthians 5:17), we simultaneously reside in a fallen world, subject to our sinful inclinations.
This leads to the question: Who truly is in control here? The Bible reminds us that this world is constantly at war with itself spiritually. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..” (NIV)
As Christians, we should always remember who is truly in charge. Not merely so that we can exist within God’s transforming presence, but so that people will ask what caused our transformation. I’ve previously blogged about our calling as Christ’s ambassadors, communicating the reality of God’s love to a world in pain and despair.
This relationship offers us a unique opportunity:
1) To draw close to him-Jesus rising again (Hebrews 10:19-22) has torn the curtain.
2) We can come boldly knowing our sins have been forgiven and ask him for anything. Also, we can speak boldly the words God has given to us without fear of consequences. (Matthew 10:28).
Unfortunately, some people are not grounded in that reality and don’t let the truth of God’s sacrifice change them completely. Katy Nicole’s song “Have Your Way” reminds us that God can still use us if we allow him to transform our lives. Transformation begins with the mind. As Jesus says in Matthew 22:37 : “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
The road ahead may be difficult, but God can still use us in the midst- not despite the difficulty