I sit here tonight trying to think of a way to put into words the emotions, and happenings of my heart into one little blog post. There is not enough time, or word space to tell you the extent of the things that have taken place.
One step of obedience into faith has taken me to places that I could never have imagined. I can tell you with clarity and assurance that I am not who I was a year ago. A day ago.
It seems like just a little while ago I was stuck in a rut, not moving backward, but not moving forward either. I no longer recognize that person.
What is abundant life? What does that look like for me? I thought that was something that God was going to show me while on the World Race, in some magical, earth shattering way. But what happened instead was far sweeter. God, in his timing, not my own, let me see today what that is. I meet with a group of women Sunday mornings that all started from a conversation one night at dinner with a friend. (I spoke about this in my last post) I sat this morning taking in as each shared what God was doing in their life at the moment, the good things, and the really tough, just hard places. I have within the last few weeks felt this continuing joy and peace coming over me daily, which is strange considering the hard things going on around the world right now. That’s not to say I haven’t gotten angry, or down in spirit, because I have. But I have also seen a dear friend being loved fiercely but Jesus, and coming back to his arms. I have shared a passion with her for people, and those who desperately need love and hope. There is worship in all of this. There is hope. As I sat there listening to friends, sipping my coffee, my joy was overflowing. It was bubbling over the edges, creeping out through a smile and teary eyes. ‘This is abundant life. Spreading the hope that we have in Jesus. Pointing people back to the Giver of life.” It was quiet, and unexpected, and in the middle of some one talking. His timing, and not mine. Abundant life was never about me, or what I could receive, but what I could give. I could give the hope that I have become so passionate about.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (literal description of my life right now)
Ezekiel 37:11-14
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
He wants to give you life. He wants to give you hope. Nothing in this life will satisfy that need, but the one who created it.
Not people. Not work. Not church. Not religion. These things are good, but they are not Jesus.
Mark 9:23
“’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
