Living From the Inside Out

Howdy there, friend, come right on up here on this ol’ front porch like you’re plum steppin’ into your grandma’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. Land sakes, I’m so doggone glad to see you. If you were any more welcome, that ol’ cat over there that likes to take naps on my railin’ would scoot on over and offer you a mighty comfy cushion. Settle yourself in real good because we’re about to be wanderin’ into a truth a whole lot richer than churned butter and steadier than a mountain pine tree that’s been around for more than a hundred winters.

Galatians 4:19 tells us, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” The best of God ain’t hiding out yonder somewhere behind a cloud or tucked up under a rock like a lil’ ol’ shy woodland critter. God’s best is already living right there inside you. Scripture says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2). That there means God ain’t danglin’ no goodness out in front of you like a carrot in front of a stubborn ol’ mule. He downright placed His very life in you through the Holy Spirit.

Some folks still wander around like a confused lil’ ol’ raccoon that found a fresh-baked loaf of bread coolin’ out on the windowsill.. They keep searchin’ for God as if He plum slipped out the back door. But Christianity ain’t no scavenger hunt. Christianity is Christ alive in you. When you were born again, He walked right on into your heart and made Himself at home.

Paul reminds us that once we’ve received Christ Jesus the Lord, we should continue to live in Him. We ain’t seekin’ Him. We have Him. We ain’t tryin’ to arrive. We already have arrived. And to deepen this here truth, the Lord gives us another verse. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). God Himself is workin’ and shapin’ Christ within you.

The moment you realize this, your worship plum changes. Your faith plum changes. Your whole life sho’-nuff’ shifts like an ol’ barn door swingin’ open to be lettin’ the mornin’ light in.

Father, thank You that everything I need is already in Christ. Thank You that His life in me brings victory, growth, and purpose. Help me live with the confidence that Jesus truly dwells in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Friend, may this truth git to settlin’ into your spirit the way a gentle breeze settles through a quiet meadow. Let Christ’s life in you git to risin’ up stronger than a lil’ ol’ rooster greetin’ the dawn. May His presence guide you with the steady calm of a wise ol’ hoot owl perched on a cedar limb. And as you move through your day, you’ve got to be lettin’ His goodness be shinin’ out of you with the same cheerful boldness as a lil’ ol’ chipmunk that found a fresh stash of acorns. Go on now, friend, and live like the One who lives in you is truly formin’ something mighty beautiful.

With joy,

Gwen