If there's anything in this world you cling to more than the Word of God, I'm here to lead you in the right direction. There is nothing as fulfilling, strengthening, life-giving and identity shaping as the Word that God gave us out if His desire to be known by the Ones He created. That Word is the Bible.
This year, the Inspired community has committed to committing some of those words to memory. Not so that we can win some kind of earthly contest or walk around with a trophy of achievement, but so that WE can become more and more like the One who came to earth to show us our worth by sacrificing His life...so that we could TRULY live. An abundant life is what He promises to those of us who seek Him. A full life.
So I guess that may be the question to answer today. If you had to give a "state of my life" address right now, and take a snapshot right from where you sit reading today, what would you have to report?
Joyful or Depressed?
Thankful or Deprived?
Serving or Self-seeking?
Humble or Proud?
Content or Jealous?
I realize it'd be unfair of me to spring a surprise interview on you without answering my own questions...If I honestly took inventory of where my heart has wandered these past few weeks, I'd have to say many of my answers would fall in the right column.
We're nearing the end of a what seems like a never-ending season for our family with John working tirelessly to finish his dissertation. After four long years of an intense level of rigor, while adding two precious girls to our family - I'm ready to breathe a sigh of relief and close the chapter on this season for good. I'm done. I feel it. These past two years have felt like a marathon we're been running, yet the finish line keeps being pushed back. It's been unpredictable and the challenges we've experienced have been hard to "plan" for.
I've always been pretty good about powering through a hard season if I have appropriate expectations going in. I like to see the road map, plan for the hills and valleys and then set off to conquer the road ahead. Life doesn't always work out that way, does it? If God let us in on the pitfalls before we began, we may not set foot on the path at all. No. That's not at all how a life following Jesus works.
If we could accomplish it all in our own strength, we'd never have the opportunity...
to know true joy in Jesus,
to be thankful for His blessings that cannot be bought,
to understand that we are more blessed when we give than when we receive,
to do nothing out of selfish ambition, but consider others first
to know the treasures in Christ are worth more than whatever it is you think you want from this world.
We were made to rely on HIM.
If we try to do it ourselves, we'll come up short every time.
The journey of our lives was designed to be traveling with GOD in the driver's seat.
If we take the wheel, we'll work real hard for nothing, for there isn't any destination worth striving for if HE didn't take you there Himself.
So, if you find yourself on the right side of the column too, get out of the driver's seat. He wants to drive you to the place He has prepared for you...but He's the only one with the map. The other amazing part, is that the destination is not in this world. It is far beyond our eye's reach and even farther beyond our mind's ability to imagine it's value. Just know it's good. Very good. He promises that, because HE is our destination.
The purpose of the life you're living right now is to travel with our Guide. What about when it's just not that enjoyable? When we suffer all the unpleasant effects of living in a fallen world? Instead of turning to anything the world can offer, we turn to the One who says HE is the way, the truth and the life....the only way to the Father Himself.
We're committing His inspired Word to memory this year, because they give us something to stand on when life feels shaky. When our heart is bruised and our thinking is cloudy he says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened...and I will give you rest."
Every week we take two more verses straight from the Bible, God's Word, and arm ourselves more fully with the road map our guide has given us. Here are the two for this week...
Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment or our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.
Isaiah 53:6
We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.
He has paid the ultimate price...now we can truly LIVE the abundant life He died to give us if we choose to! So how about you? Do you choose the abundance today? Do you choose to live in communion with God as He orders your days one faithful step at a time? Or will you try to do things your own way...I've decided that I don't like where I end up when I drive. I always think I know where I'm going, but I end up in that second column. I want true, unaffected by circumstance, JOY today....and I know exactly how to get it. That is who Jesus is. The answer to every question. Don't be afraid to ask...He has good plans for those who do.
"Ask, and it will be given to you.
Seek, and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened to you."
- Jesus (Matthew 7:7)
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Are you memorizing with us this year? I'd love to meet you! Leave a comment whether you've been with us from the beginning or just starting today...are you joining our community in writing God's Word on your heart? It's good to know we're not alone :)
Great post. :) You amaze me that you've been on this road for so long and haven't needed a tow truck yet! ;) You encourage me.
Also, is that picture from Butchart Gardens? It looks familiar. :) If it is, then that is the very spot Jon and I took a picture on our honeymoon, the same spot where my parents took a picture on their anniversary trip before my mom died. It's a special place for us. :)
If not, um, nevermind. Pretty picture! :)
Yes, Kasey! My Dad took that picture when he and my mom were there...I'd love to go someday, and yes...a tow truck has sounded good a few too many times along the way! Then God always reminds me that His plan is for me to rely on Him, and I find purpose in the struggle. It's all for His gory :) You'll make it too my friend...with His help and come out closer to Him than ever before...
Memorizing and thankful for your blog always!
Silvia