Perhaps we can know what a life completely devoted to God looks like, but there is one mystery that still remains.
The other day in my blog about how shallow I am and my bad haircut, I quoted Henry Varley’s famous challenge to D.L. Moody that ended up being the impetus to set Moody on fire for God. Here’s the quote if you don’t remember it,
“The world is yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man (or woman) who is fully consecrated to Him.”
Now, I don’t want this to sound like I’m refuting Mr. Varley. I’m not. Really. I just have this nagging thought that keeps coming at me, so I thought I’d share it with you. It’s a question really.
Has the world really never see what God can do with and for and through and in and by a man who is fully consecrated to him?
I’m not sure I agree that we’ve NEVER seen such a thing. I’m thinking maybe we have.
What does God do WITH a man completely devoted to him?
He lets him die on a cross next to a thief.
What does God do FOR a man who is completely devoted to him?
He gives him peace and assurance in the midst of terrible trials.
What does God do THROUGH a man who is completely devoted to him?
He makes a way for all men to come into a personal relationship with God.
What does God do IN a man completely devoted to him?
He brings together writings that have spanned thousands of years. Old Testament prophecies find their home. New Testament events click into place, and Revelation still remains kind of confusing.
And finally, what does God do BY a man who is completely devoted to him.
He changes everything.
What started with the first man defying God is ended by another man’s obedience. In Jesus, death was defeated for all of us, forgiveness was bought, and life changed from being meaningless to meaning more than we can ask or imagine.
So, I’m not really disagreeing with the heart of Varley’s statement, I just wanted to point out the obvious. There has been one man who lived a life completely devoted to God.
However, in the spirit of Varley’s intent, the world is yet to see what God will do WITH, FOR, THROUGH, IN, and BY [insert your name here] completely devoted to God.
Peace be with us as strive to live differently!
Good stuff Mary Beth! Keep us thinking. Keep encouraging. Keep being Mary Beth called by God!