Do Work

It’s New Years resolution time!!! Time to make healthier decisions and detox your body and mind from all the holiday junk! Even away from home it’s easy to eat less heathy during the holiday months so my teammate and I have decided to start training for a 5k. Lately, Jesus has been reminding me to refocus and daily make good decisions in mind, body and spirit. Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, choosing to exercise physically is a huge part of honoring our temple. But, running and I have a love hate relationship. I love everything about running except the actual running part. I want all the results without all the work and sore muscles! And sometimes that attitude carries into my spiritual life as well.

I want the closeness of the Holy Spirit but I don’t want to sacrifice the time to read my Bible daily. I want to have more faith, and more wisdom, and more discernment! But… That pray without ceasing thing… That’s figurative right? Why do we always expect to reap the rewards without putting forth any effort?

Olympic athletes don’t wake up one morning and decide they want to try for the gold. Marathon runners don’t roll out of bed January first and take a 20 mile run. Everything worth seeking requires hard work and sacrifice, and your spiritual life is no different. I’m by no means saying that salvation is works based. But doesn’t the bible say that if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you? (that was rhetorical.. 🙂 It’s James 4:8) We can’t expect the spiritual growth and closeness we desire without putting forth the effort of seeking God.

All of our desires, all of our New Years resolutions, all of our goals, I honestly believe they are all attainable… If we will put in the effort. If we will take each day as an opportunity to grow.

I found myself thinking, “When we run, I want to start right at the door, go halfway and come back so that we end right at the door again. No wasted time wandering around.” And God spoke to me and said, “What if that was your mindset about ministry? You start right as you walk out the door and don’t stop until you’re back at home. Don’t waste any time or opportunities.” Heavy right? Whether you’re in America, Thailand, Kenya, or Antarctica, God has you there for a reason and that’s your mission field! What if every time we stepped out of our homes we were looking for opportunities to share the hope we’ve been given?

So, in true New Years fashion, I challenge myself and my amazing supporters who faithfully read my blogs, to seize every moment we are given. Don’t wait for church to give an offering, make your life the sacrifice. Choose to make the healthier decisions in mind, body, and spirit and seek after God with all of your strength. And start looking to bring God’s kingdom to earth each time you step out of your home. There’s work to be done. Let’s give everything we have, and reap the rewards together in 2014 with souls won and hearts changed by the only living God. Happy New Year everyone!