January 29 | Galatians 2:20
- Judy Webb
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Changed in the Shadow of the Cross
By Judy Webb
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
It was a Sunday afternoon, perhaps 45 years ago, when her life changed. It was during this low point she felt God reaching out to her. She did not have a relationship with Him but felt compelled to grab hold of the proffered hand. Things couldn’t get worse, could they?
That passing moment of surrender provided a new beginning. Those few seconds it took for her to submit to the call from God, the course of her life turned upside down. The transformation began immediately, if slowly. Peace and hope enveloped her, and she began to develop a conscience along with a desire to be a better person. Each day a gentler and more loving individual emerged. When she gave up control of her life and started to follow God’s plan, she was changed from the inside out.
We are reminded that God’s hand can pull us up out of the pit of whatever darkness we are stuck in. (Psalm 40:2) He will guide us to higher ground and then change our hearts and minds to coincide with His.
What do you think when you study these words: “The life I now live in the body, I now live by faith in the Son of God.”? Those who knew Paul before his conversion probably struggled to believe that he was so changed. Much like the young woman mentioned above or like you or I, before our encounter with Jesus. Before we knew Christ we were all lost and caught up in dark pit. But what a testimony our changed attitude and behavior can be!
Prior to Paul’s Damascus Road encounter, his relationship with God was founded on what he, Paul, could do for God. How he could serve God by persecuting and destroying all those who followed Jesus, whom he saw as an imposter. His faith was in himself. Once He gave up control and turned to Jesus, everything changed.
We need to understand that relying on our own strength will never hoist us out of the abyss we are stuck in. The light of Jesus is just waiting for us to open our eyes to it. Shadows will disappear and we will see more clearly who is truly in control.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
To be poor in Spirit means that you know you need God. You acknowledge your total dependence in Him…for everything. God has unimaginable things prepared for us simply because he loves us.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus,
What a blessing indeed, to be saved by You. What joy we find once we stop trying to do your job. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that You are right beside me and when I am in a deep pit of trouble, Your hand is reaching down to grab me and pull me to your side. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUDY WEBB
I have been a member of UALC for 28 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 19 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.
What a powerful devotion that I needed to hear today. You are so right: God's hand can pull us up out of the pit of whatever darkness we are stuck in. You are also right that we need to understand that relying on our own strength will never get us out of that pit. It is only when we give up control, turn to Jesus, and let him guide us to higher ground that our hearts and minds will confirm with his. Praise be to God!