This year has had its moments. Unforgettably tragic. Powerfully impacting. Slightly misunderstood. Definitely blessed. Overall, it has been 365 days of God’s transforming touch upon my life.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.
Romans 5:3-4
Not everything has been easy but I’m not going to complain. Not everything turned out how I expected it should. In the end things naturally turned out better than I would have thought. I like to understand why and how things happen. Unfortunately, most times I have to rest (or wrestle) with the unknown and learn to trust God’s plan above my own. Six and a half years ago I gave my life to God’s work. At the end of a week long youth conference I ran down to the altar call, raised my arms, and said, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” Without excuse or limitations I was giving my plan to Him. Yet, through fear or impatience or pride I ended up in the driver’s seat again defining for myself what it meant to serve Him. Once again I am wrong and patiently being re-taught.
But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so the potter squashed the jar into a lump of clay and started again.
Jeremiah 18:4
Getting back to the beginning…there is God. He is in control. Whether it be mourning a death, healing from surgery, surviving a wreck, seeking joy in new places He is still God and in control of my life. I get lost a lot and I’m bad with directions. Not a good characteristic of a World Racer or for life. When driving, my eyes lead me to billboards and buildings making it difficult to concentrate on where I am or where I’m supposed to be going. When living, my heart gets pulled to people or obligations. In themselves they are not bad but as I allow them to take my focus off of the Cross they lead me into ditches. In those ditches I am lost and forgetful of my purpose.
So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.
Colossians 1:9-10
It’s not about the labels or stereotypes of Christianity. Pastor, missionary, businessman, student, check-out girl, coffee shop dude…God sees us all the same. Like it or not, believe it or not, it’s true. (Romans 2:10-12) And it doesn’t matter what other people think of you. It’s not about living in an understandable or explainable box of stories and opinions. If it was that way then there would be no faith and no need for a passionate interest in a mighty and mysterious God. It’s not about fitting into the newest trend to make the Message applicable. If Jesus is Lord of your heart then you have a story. That story, just as it is, has life-changing power and meaning – you are the proof. It’s not about finding worth in your sacrifices or good deeds. You are not defined by that. All God wants is a broken and contrite heart. Faith is more important to Him than a checklist of spiritual to-do’s. It’s not about just you. We should all learn to get over ourselves. For our God is love and is relational and is community. What’s the “it”? It’s a secret.
…For this is the secret: Christ lives in you, and this is your assurance that you will share in His glory. So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
Colossians 1:27-29
It’s all I want for Christmas. I want people to get it and I want to live it. My purpose and focus for my life is to love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Without fear and “religion” preventing me from a pure intimacy with my Savior I want to run the race unhindered. A race that’s not finished yet. I continue to lay down my life allowing Him to work on my pride and lust and impatience and jealousy and… It’s a refocus that makes me smile at the truth of Philippians 1:21 when Paul claims, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!” My fear now is settling for anything less than what He wants for me. He wants me and I want more of Him. He is more than enough.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
This year has redirected my attention and focus on Christ. It’s not about answering the question, “What are you doing with your life?” but taking the time to honestly answer “Who am I in this life?” For example, what is the state of your heart right now? What does it look like, really? Clean. Strong. Passionate. Stale. Ripped. Bloody. Dirty. Beating. Any and all of the above? Me too. Now, don’t believe that you are left hopeless in the state that you’re in. God will take it. He loves you now and enough to not want to keep you where you are.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
I’m with you doing this whole life thing too. Plus:
I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Take care. God bless. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
