Blogs

Life’s Greatest Privilege
Mine has been a journey into the inexplicable, miraculous, mysterious and glorious Presence of Jesus! But it hasn’t always been as I had imagined it to be. No! It’s been puzzling, frustrating and difficult at times. It has also at times been painful, lonely and slow. I’m sure others have found an easier route than me. Even so…
I’ve ‘walked’ by the faith of Jesus. I’ve ‘soared’ on the wings of the Holy Spirit. I’ve ‘discovered’ a loving Father who has done everything possible to show me the way! I’ve followed the examples of men and women of God I’ve respected. And I’ve been blessed and encouraged on the journey by the men, women and children that God has so graciously and lovingly put in my life.
But; most of all, Jesus has gone to all lengths to awaken my heart to Life’s Greatest Privilege: daily fellowship with Himself, Holy Spirit, and Heavenly Father.
There have been substantial hurdles for me to Overcome in this worthwhile trek! Most have been treacherous and deceptive. A sense of stealth and foreboding has accompanied each hurdle. Too be painfully candid, a deep sense of shame and personal failure has often imperiled my field of vision. Scores of the impediments and boulders on my pathway have had their origin inside of me. I had judged unfair circumstances or other persons to be the root reasons blocking my way to the heart of Jesus.
Simple steps of clarification are advantageous while enhancing the truths which shed light on the potential of fellowship with God. I have truly found that God has not once been disengaged, disingenuous, disinterested, distanced, dissociated or detached from me. As I’ve practiced and lived in His presence, the way forward has always emerged from intentional asking, seeking and knocking! How about you? Is life in the presence of Jesus worth any cost? After 53 years of pursuing him in response to his pursuit of me; I wouldn’t have it any other way!
9 My passion is to be consumed with him and not clinging to my own “righteousness” based in keeping the written Law. My “righteousness” will be his, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God. 10 And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus more fully and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and I will be one with him in his death. 11 Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death.
12 I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. 13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; [f] however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, [g] God will reveal it to them. 16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. Ron Ross