Leaning In

Last weekend we were able to visit our daughter and her family in Louisiana. Theirs is a busy life full of the activities of four children ages 3 months to 7 years. I love my time with them.

Their 7 year old, Jonathan, is my first grandchild. He is a typical first child and all boy. I'm not sure there is anything he thinks he cannot do. "I'll do it Nana!" or "I can do it Nana!" filter our every conversation. His tremendously strong will has served him well and, yes, there are so many things he can do - all by himself! However, there really are some things his seven year old self cannot do and there are some things that he could do better with some help and instruction. God has His hand on him and I know He will use every dab of who he is to make Jonathan the man He wants him to be.  

Sunday came, he opted for missing children's worship and sat by me in "big church." He sang, he completed his handout from Bible study, and as the hour went by he continued to scoot closer and closer to me. Soon, he was tucked under my arm and leaning on me with the weight of his entire 7 year old, strong willed, active body. "Oh how I love this boy!" I whispered to God. My heart was full and I could feel the peace in his. That may be my favorite memory of the weekend.

When I came home, that phrase "lean in" continued to jump out to me. Jennifer Kennedy Dean, in Altar'd, said "When I live by faith in Jesus, I live by the faith of Jesus. Jesus expresses His own faith through me when I rest the weight of my personality on Him. Lean in." (Page 52)

Instead of leaning in, I surely must be pushing in. All me. That is a picture completely different from what I experienced with Jonathan. So much of me is like my oldest grandchild. I might as well be saying "I'll do it God," "I can do it God!" Even my obedience to Him is a task I have given to my flesh. "I am choosing to obey. Now do it flesh!" 

Oh, but Philippians 2:13 says "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose."

The Message says it this way. "Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God Himself willing and working at what will give Him the most pleasure."

My flesh has deceived me and made me exhausted as a result! This pocket of flesh is crucified in Him! 

I'm leaning in!