When I was a child, I thought as a child… but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Similarly, when I was a childlike Christian, I foolishly asked God for things and circumstances that served me because I mistakenly believed that God wanted me to be comfortable and happy at all times. What I have come to learn after decades of my journey is that God wants infinitely more for us. As stated in Job 23:10, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” God is no Santa Claus, delivering cheap gifts to greedy children. Most of our requests, however earnest at the time, are paltry substitutes for the ONE real gift, which is HIM, and him alone. I think for some, if not all of us, arriving at this realization is a bit of a process, one that (at least for me), turned out to be horrendous, beautiful, poetic and absolutely worth it.
For much of my life, I felt alone, even in church. I did not feel (or understand) God’s love, and I certainly didn’t feel any kind of peace that passed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Like the prodigal son, I had to travel far away, so far that God turned his face from me. However, he still had me in his hand. In his great wisdom, God let me go. Out of (what I now understand as) His incredible love for me, he let me fail (miserably) out there, apart from him. He lovingly awaited my return because he knew long before I did that only in him did I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). Furthermore, He knew that when I returned, I would arrive with a new posture: the “Eternal Posture”, which says, “Not I, but Christ in me. Not my will, but Thy will be done.” See, Galatians 2:20 and Luke 22:42,
The eternal posture marks the beginning of a true relationship with Christ, leading to real transformation and real blessings. The Holy Spirit leads us deeper into the understanding that, while we can never be God, we can, and do have the mind of Christ. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:36). We begin to fully grasp that the wisdom of the world is indeed foolishness. Our prayers gladly go from “me, me, me” to “whatever you want, Jesus!”
The irony is that the eternal posture is both our stance of faith AND God’s promise, the true gift. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you” also translates to “Hold the eternal posture because therein lies the whole of God’s promises.”
What are God’s promises? They are too many to mention here, so I offer only a few. He promises that everything will work out for good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). He promises to be near. “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). He promises prosperity and not harm. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). He promises rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest” (Matthew 11:28-29).
God Promises Peace. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). He promises to make a way. “…. I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19). Notice that God does not promise that we will not have trials. Instead, he promises that when we do face trials, they will serve a purpose. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
I think Malachi 3:6 sums it up nicely: “I the LORD do not change….” We are overcome with freedom, joy and peace when we truly grasp the sovereignty and changelessness of God. The eternal posture is deliverance through intimacy with Him.
by Jeanne Melberg
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