“Get me out of this!” Have you ever had that thought? A challenging situation, a trying circumstance, a leadership crisis, a overwhelming problem that is looming over your sphere of influence. It could be in your family, job, church, or just life in general, but the persisting problem is there and our thoughts and emotions reach the pinnacle of frustration and we cry out, “Just get me out of here!”

Paul writes in Eph 1:9-11 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (NLT) 

Jesus is the ultimate purpose of God.  God is looking for His son in all that He has created.  He’s looking for His Son in us. Therefore, the ultimate purpose of everything that He does or allows to happen in our lives is to conform us to His image. That challenging situation you are finding yourself in right now has a purpose. He is exposing weak areas, conforming you to His image and giving opportunity for Himself to be formed in you.  So instead of crying out in desperation, “Get me out of this”, maybe we should be crying out, “Get this out of me.” This weakness, thought pattern, reaction, sin, or unhealthy response, Lord, get this out of me now.

When we shift the focus on the real issue, us vs. the situation, we align ourselves with the One who is looking at the much broader picture, conforming us to His image. And if that is His ultimate goal, then “this” needs to go. Lord, don’t get me out of “this” until you get “this” out of me!

D.O.V.E.