Quotes

I enjoy reading and I generally gravitate toward Christian fiction and fantasy. A lot of people prefer to read biographies and topical books but I find that God often teaches me in the form of a story.

Years ago when I was reading the books about Father Tim (Mitford Series), I fell in love with the idea of keeping a book of quotes that have impacted my life. Every now and then I’ll sit down and reread these quotes, remembering what God was teaching me at the time and very often re-learning and being re-impacted by the wisdom that I find there.

Today I was reading in my quote book and I was drawn back to a quote that I think has probably been one of the greatest reminders and catalysts in my life. It is the essence of Jesus in the garden praying, not my will, but Thine be done. It is Abraham laying Isaac on the alter, not wanting to kill his son but motivated by a deeper desire to serve His Lord. The specific impact came because I found the quote in the middle of a story that I related to at a time that I heard it. I’d like to share it with you.

“God!” he cried, “I thought I knew you and sought your will. And now I am ashamed before you. I cannot even pray. But hear my deepest will in me. Hear the prayer I cannot offer. Be my perfect Father to fulfill the imperfection of your child. You know me a thousand times better than I know myself – hear me and save me. Make me strong to yield to you. And therefore, even while my heart hangs back, I force my mouth to say the words – Take from me what you will, only make me clean and pure.”

“Thus he prayed, with a reluctant heart, forcing its will by the might of a deeper will that would be for God and freedom, in spite of the cleaving of his soul to the dust.”*

You can use the comments link or e-mail me if you’d like to share any quotes that have been impacting in your life.

*George MacDonald, The Laird’s Inheritance