I Can Only Imagine–Christopher Duffley

Christopher Duffley describes himself as “a 12 year old musician/singer who happens to be blind and autistic.”

At a recent performance at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Duffley touched the hearts of the congregation with a moving rendition of “I Can Only Imagine.”

Marilyn Terrana commented on the performance to say, “It makes me think who is handicapped, us or them? A heart so pure and trusting Christopher and other children with special needs should be what we model ourselves after.”

Duffley was born prematurely at only 26 weeks, weighing only 1 pound 12 ounces with cocaine in his system, but he survived these challenges against all odds.

“He teaches us to not see everything with our eyes, but to see things the way God sees things, through our heart,” said his aunt Christine.

Credits: Christopher Duffley Is Blind And Autistic But His Voice Will .., http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/02/christopher-duffley-blind-autistic-song _n_5077984.html (accessed April 4, 2014).

What if you gave God total control of your life ?

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Life could be much more interesting than it is, if we would yield the Master’s call and allow God to chart a course and direct our steps. It is well documented in Biblical history that those who had surrendered control to God lived more prosperous and meaningful lives than those who did not. Even so, most of us scoff at the idea, because we like to take all the glory for our achievements. We are like the leader of the pride—the thought of giving up control or sharing power makes us nervous.

So, even after we have confessed our sins and promised to follow Jesus, we still hesitate to give Him total control. It is only when our backs are up against a wall that we entertain any idea to give up control, but only temporary. Therefore, as soon as we have crossed the Red sea or the Jordan, or survive the storm we are back to business as usual—rebellious and disobedient..

Giving God control of your life means you are part of a team. God now becomes  team leader and director; you become a follower. Unfortunately, this is where the problem begins. Most people do not see themselves as followers. They think it is demeaning. In one of the most tightly contested presidential primary, a Journalist suggested that one of the candidates settle for running mate. The candidate replied with this: “You will never see me running for vice president”.

My friends, you can rest assure; there is nothing demeaning about following God and surrender  total control to Him. The prophets and the Patriarchs and the apostles did, and after more than 2000 years we are still talking about them.
Still, like it or not, God is already in charge, but He refuses to act until you ask Him to. The Psalmist David in one of his dialogues writes the following: “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusted in him”– Psalm 34:8.

I surrender

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Father in heaven, I surrender all to You. Remove the veil that clouds my view. Help me to see more clearly your purpose for me. Guide my steps and take full control of my life. Lord, I am aware that I am nothing without You. Still, I yearn to be something–, not in this world, Lord, but in your Kingdom. I surrender all to you.

Does your life reflects Christ?

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As one who strive to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, I try to focus on the big picture–the crown that awaits me at the end of my journey. Still, I realize it is a steep climb, and I cannot do it on my own. Therefore, to be successful, I must pay close attention to Jesus’ teachings, and the things He stood for, and most importantly what He did on the cross at Calvary.

Hence I most certainly cannot allow myself to get distracted by trivialities, like, what is right and what is wrong. Instead, I should attempt to let my life be a mirror that reflects Jesus Christ.

Too often Christian folks get embroiled in social fights that result in heated exchanges. And sometimes these back and forth arguments and name callings get so out of hand that it is hard to differentiate the saved from the unsaved.

The apostle Peter says Christians should

Be tender-hearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it (1 Peter 3:8-9).

I especially like what Paul wrote in one of his letters to the Church in Philippi:

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining as bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, you will be proud that you did not run the race in vain and that your work was not useless (Philippians 2:14-16).

Sing for Jesus

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“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” Colossians 2:11-15).