Do you think that Christ is my last name? You have a first and a last name and so may think it normal for the same pattern to apply to me, but this view isn’t completely accurate in my case. Here is a helpful way to think of  this. The Word (Christ) was made flesh (Jesus) and dwelt among us. As Christ I inhabit eternity, as Jesus I walked and breathed among you. Both aspects were essential to my unique identity and mission, and so you have the mystery of the incarnation. There were relatively few people who knew me in the flesh. Do you regret that you were not one of them?

Are you content with your income? Do you find satisfaction in the way you earn it? Do you understand that these are separate issues? People will settle for making money when they can’t find satisfaction making anything else. The rules changed after the Garden of Eden, requiring you to work. Do you see this as a curse? It doesn’t have to be. You can find satisfaction in the benefit you provide in addition to providing an income for your support. The Bible speaks of masters and servants. You can adapt this language to your modern economy by thinking of employers and employees.

Is your faith making you better or worse? Hopefully better, but both are possibilities. Are you familiar with all the passages about the Pharisees? They were the religious establishment in their day as you are in yours. When you read about them, are you glad that you are not like them? But then they also were glad that they were not like others, such as the sinner whose prayer was accepted for justification. Church people have a different set of issues to deal with than those outside, but both are real. Examine yourself that you may remain free of the leaven of the Pharisees.

Can you change your life at will? Can you wake up one morning and realize that you need to be more loving and compassionate, and put it on your list of things to do, and have it accomplished by evening? Have you found that enduring change is not that easy? Yet it is possible. Things you desire that are not so easily accomplished by your own efforts can occur in the crucible of my refining fire. This is very different from your self-improvement projects. You can’t bring them about, but your consent is required. I know what you need and am prepared to bring it about.