Hammer on Anvil '

Part of my daily devotional time includes reading from an Andrew Murray devotional on prayer. It has become a favorite, along with Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, which I have read daily for probably 10 years.

Last week something Murray said moved me to tears, and I'd like to share it with you:

As the Lord Jesus pours out His love in unceasing intercession in heaven, may it be so with us on earth -- a life of overpowering love and never-ending intercession.

The words "overpowering love" hit me like a ton of bricks, and I began to weep. I am weeping now as I type this. So many people have never experienced this kind of all-consuming, unconditional, life-changing love. They are miserable to the core of their existence, and don't realize there is a way out. Families of origin can inflict lifelong angst and turmoil, and people who have never learned that life can be different simply feel stuck.

A precious friend called me last week right after I had read this devotional. Together we prayed for a friend of hers (I'll call her Emma) who professes to know Jesus, but is mired in anger and bitterness. Emma had a hellish upbringing, and never learned how to properly relate to people. She grasps for control whenever and wherever she can. She has no clue that Jesus went to the Cross so that she wouldn't have to be burdened with the baggage she carries around. She has no idea that she is free to LOVE -- even those she perceives to be her enemies.

I was stuck for decades where Emma is stuck right now, and she is the one I was weeping for when I read the words "overpowering love." I prayed that she would experience that kind of love very soon -- that God would send her someone to disciple her. She needs a godly woman who can expression compassion and care, yet show Emma that God shows us "a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 13).

When you are overpowered by the love of God, your life changes dramatically. Suddenly things are not all about you. When you hear about someone behaving badly, your first reaction is not to harshly judge them, but to see them as God sees them -- as broken people who need to be LOVED rather than judged. When someone else unintentionally does something that hurts you, you don't immediately take it as a personal affront -- you let it go, realizing it's not worth getting angry and bitter. You don't feel the need to constantly control situations because you have relinquished control of your life to God.

Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus, though He was in very nature God, made himself nothing and took the form of a servant. We are to have that very same mindset, and "in humility value others above yourselves" (verse 3). It is contrary to our human nature to "make ourselves nothing," but we can do it when the Holy Spirit dwells within us! It is very freeing to relinquish all that we consider our "rights," and let God completely consume us with His love and His passion. When that happens, our one desire should be for Him to accomplish His purposes.

As you read this today, I pray that you will tangibly sense God's overpowering love for you. He knit you together in your mother's womb, He loves you with an everlasting love, and only He knows what is best for you. Be filled to overflowing today!