Why the name "Already Not Yet" for this blog? Because that is the description of my life. It's about the work that has already been accomplished for me in Christ (Already) but there is still much more to be accomplished in me as my life goes on (Not Yet). When I started seminary back in 2002 I walked into class and began to experience overload. There was so much information to consume and absorb that I would come home and tell Sherry (my wife) that the more I learned, the dumber I felt because there was so much more yet to learn. At that time the "Already Not Yet" consisted of an intellectual understanding of scripture and ultimately who God is and who I am as a result of knowing God and His Word. But now ten years removed from that first seminary experience I am continuing to gain an experiential understanding of the Already Not Yet as God is constantly transforming my heart. The Spirit exposes things in me that I never knew were there and shows me my need of Him. Recently the song that has been resonating in my heart is "Lord I Need You." Whether it is for strength or joy or love or understanding there is only One Fountain that pours out the water that can quench the longing of my soul.
I'm sure this may seem like I'm out in the theological atmosphere to some people, but I assure you that there has never been anything that has been more practical in my life than learning how to rest in Christ on a daily basis is now. Is it easy? Absolutely not. Most days it's a struggle. Some days I don't want to be in the struggle. But God is teaching me to embrace the struggle because it is in the midst of the struggle that God is transforming me into a usable jar of clay that can be filled and poured out for the glory of His name (not mine!)
So this blog will mostly be about the struggle as God transforms me in hopes that the transparency one finds here will be an encouragement to embrace the struggle in your own life and cling to the all-satisfying Savior. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12.9). So I invite you on my journey of faith to witness the works of God. May God be glorified.
