Move Me Out of the Way, Lord
This is perhaps one of the most significant life changing verses in the Bible for me in recent years. I desired, no, I NEEDED revival in my life. A total transformation was needed in order to be set free from the bondage of my past.
It became necessary for me to become totally transparent with myself and others. The Lord began to work in my life. I appeared to be like an onion in the hands of a Master Chef. He peeled back layers of sin that stood in the way of intimacy with Him.
My ultimate goal in this process was to have the Lord in His proper place in my life. I needed Him to move me out of the way so He could have first place in my life. It was (is) a painful process. It will not be over until He calls me home and I am no longer in the presence of sin.
As I read John chapter 3 this morning, I thought it to be a beautiful picture of being contrite and lowly. I had never actually looked at it through that lens before. John 3:1-21 I was reminded of His finished work on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. I could do nothing to remove myself out from under this penalty. I could not ascend into heaven on my own good merits, but rather He had to humble Himself and come down to redeem me. When I received Christ as my Savior, when I believed He paid the penalty price for all my sin, I became justified in His sight. The past was reconciled. I could now have a relationship with Him.
But for years that relationship had a barrier. I wanted to be close to Him but I kept falling prey to the same traps. The daily sanctification process, the process of being freed from the power of sin in the here and now, was being hindered by someone very close to me. Someone who had (and still has) great influence in my life. This person stood in the way of me having a close relationship with the Lord.
That person is me. My will has to be broken. My will has to be humbled. My will has to be decreased so He can be increased – high and lifted up in my life. John 3:30,31 says it so clearly, “He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” I must be moved out of the way so He can be increased and seen in my life. I must decrease so He can have His way in me and be glorified.
John 3:36 sums up the ultimate reward of this process we call glorification – that moment when we will be removed from the presence of sin. “He who believes in the Son has (possesses now) eternal life.” We receive that promise of eternal life when we receive Christ as Savior. We are sealed by His Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:113,14). That promise is eternal life with Him.
During this time of sanctification, I need to be reminded daily of my need for Him in my life. More of Him and less of me. I need to daily pray:
Move Me Out of the Way, Lord
I run to the front
To take the control
But in the end
It’s harm to my soul.
I must be in charge
I think I know best
“It’s my life,” I say.
I’m leading the quest.
Who knows me better
Than I know me
Though you look
You do not see.
There’s only one
Who truly sees me
He knows who I am
And who I could be.
The author and finisher
Of my holy faith
The love of my life
He receives all my praise.
He truly sees me
The intent of my heart
He understands all
He sees not in part.
The depth of His love
For this wretched (wo)man
It boggles my mind
So I don’t understand.
Why I insist
On running my life
When in the end
It cuts like a knife.
When I look upon
The wreckage I’ve wrought
It all came to ruin
It all came to naught.
It’s come to the point
Where All I can say
Is move me, dear Lord
Move ME out of the way.
Make me decrease
Make me small
Make me, in the end
The least of all.
Subdue my ego
O’ Lord bind my pride
Have your way, Father
Just move me aside.
To you be the glory
Creator of life
The Author of peace
Moderator of strife.
Flesh cries to be seen
Pride desires to be known
But I know the glory
Is Yours alone.
So, Lord hear my plea and answer me true.
Keep me from running ahead of You.
Move me to the rear, drive me to my knees.
Lead me to the light, move me Father, please.
~ Poem by: Norris K. Oler~
Thanks for this post Marsha. I so need to hear it over and over again! That poem is wonderful.
This is a beautiful post. I also need to hear this. I know God as my personal Savior and He’s been there for me and my family in so many ways and I know He always will be.
For some reason right now, I’m going through a difficult time. I could use prayer. My husband and I know just how blessed we are with how much the Lord loves us and our family and we strive to live our lives for Him.
My husband has been working out of town and we have 2 boys and I guess him being away is stressful on us all. But I know the Lord is here and will never leave us nor forsake us…..that doesn’t mean satan doesn’t try and bother us. I just keep praying and I know my God is here and He always will be. Thank you for the prayers.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
What a wonderful post today Marsha! ((hugs))
AMEN! I, too need to get out of GOD’s way!
Blessings, and hugs, andrea
Pretty sure if we are honest with ourselves, we all could echo your words today. Thank you for reminder – we must allow God to be in control. Move me out of the way, Lord and have your complete will in my life.
Amen, beautiful post sis.
Amen…I tend to be a butinski myself…don\’t know why…when His ways are always best…guess I am a slow learner on some things…I needed these reminders…thanks, Marsha!
HI Marsha,
Wow…. My will has to be humbled. My will has to be decreased so He can be increased – This is my prayer today. Thank you for these words, girl. Needed them.
Thanks for posting and sharing your heart. That is a great poem.
Bethany
Powerful devotion, Marsha. Yes, I too stand in the way of the sanctification process. May I decrease so that He increases.