My Utmost for His Highest-

Book: My Utmost for His Highest
-Oswald Chambers

March 27

Spiritual Vision Through Personal Character:

“Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place...”
                            Revelation 4:1
A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character. If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing rule in temptation which calls you to go higher; but when you do , you only encounter other temptations and character traits. Both God and Satan use the strategy of elevation, but Satan uses it in temptation, and the effect is quite different. When the devil elevates you to a certain place, he causes you to fasten your idea of what holiness is far beyond what flesh and blood could ever bear or achieve. Your life becomes a spiritual acrobatic performance high atop a steeple. You cling to it, trying to maintain your balance and daring not to move. But when God elevates you by His grace into heavenly places, you find a vast plateau where you can move about with ease.
    Compare this week in your spiritual life with the same week last year to see how God has called you to a higher level. We have all been brought to see from a higher viewpoint. Never allow God to show you a truth which you do not instantly begin to live up to, applying it to your life. Always work through it, staying in its light.
    Your growth in grace is not measured by the fact that you haven’t turned back, but that you have an insight and understanding into where you are spiritually. Have you heard God say, “Come up higher,” not audibly on the outer level, but to the innermost part of your character?
    “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing ...?” (Genesis 18:17). God has to hide from us what He does, until, due to the growth of our personal character, we get to the level where He is then able to reveal it.




-As I read this days devotion I was really encouraged! As I am in Africa learning so much in a little amount of time, yes 8 months has become little time, the thought “Why I am here?” runs through my mind. Asking God to help me make sense of this part of the life journey. He has recently revealed to me understanding and explanation of why I lived in Grand Forks after college struggling to find a job, taking a step backwards, only it was really forwards, as an intern in Minneapolis, then working short term at TreeHouse in the Twin Cities, a period of unemployment and nannying, and now Africa. I am not complaining for where I’ve been but don’t you ever wonder why you have worked where you worked to get where you are? Or moved where you moved, etc.?

Through this message I see God is building character and faith in all these “unknown” steps we take, including all the ones I mentioned. So I am THANKFUL for this knowledge and understanding that I need to be patient and content where God has me and puts me because he is continually asking us to “Come up higher”! That is the amazing thing about this relationship we have with Him, it never stops growing!!!

Be encouraged!!

P.s. 2 days until my parents are here!!!!