How Does He Do That?

We all have people for whom we carry a deep seated respect- often men or women that we have never met and will likely never meet.  There are several that fall into this category in my own life.  My dad, William Carey, John Piper, Adoniram Judson, and Fanny J. Crosby are just a few that I admire very deeply.  Often I read something by them, in some cases hear a sermon they preach and wonder, "How do they do that, and what kinds of things do I need to change in my life to have a relationship with Christ like they do/did?" 

Another such person is C.J. Mahaney.  I was reading his blog today and came across this quote that I thought was worth passing on.  He was discussing the need for pastors to read, but I thought his point was certainly applicable to every believer:

It is the example of a pastor over a period of years and decades that will make a difference in the life of a congregation. And therefore I want to guard my heart from growing familiar with the pastoral world, growing familiar with God’s Word, growing familiar with corporate worship, growing familiar when I am listening to preaching, growing familiar when I am taking communion, growing familiar with God. I want to guard my heart from that. And the best way I can do that is by attending to his Word and applying his Word to my heart on a daily basis. I think that is the most effective way I can serve those I care for and those I have been called to serve and lead.

As we approach the time of year we give special attention to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, let's seize every opportunity to guard our hearts against familiarity with the Gospel.   As C.J. says, "The best way [we] can do that is by attending to his Word and applying his Word to [our hearts] on a daily basis."