This week we were asked to reflect on our:
I was________.
I am__________.
Today’s Reading Link:Exodus 40; John 19; Proverbs 16; Philippians 3
I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
I know something about each and everyone one of us. Guess? We are all different. You are a masterpiece! There is no one in the world like you. We all have a different set of fingerprints. This unique and humbling information is also accurate for our lives. For myself, I truly wished I would’ve been in the word more earlier in my life, but I wasn’t. I also understand now that God has a divine plan for everyone and everything. As we recently come off the official celebration of Jesus’s resurrection I reflect also on our past, present, and future in Him. I love thinking of what Jillian said yesterday as starting my New Year in Christ. I’m excited for it! I love this opportunity to be in the Word with others daily. God knows our past and He plans our future.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Past: Often we can catch ourselves trying to compare, copy, or just want things that others have. This can include a certain lifestyle, relationship, and of course physical or material things. This was definitely evident for me growing up. An upbringing that included much adversity in home dynamics and living in poverty to our American standards. I would do anything to get or make others believe that I had some kind of perfect life. Acting in one way where on the inside there was an insecure kid who would try to impress others through lies. I was truly selfish in all things doing whatever to look and act a certain way no matter who was hurt. It was all about me. This was all the center of my world and God wasn’t visible in any of it, and it showed. We tend to want what someone else has or the next best thing. Not until some rock bottom experiences did I realize I needed to have a closer relationship with God. I wasn’t able to do any of it.
God grabbed a hold of my heart and put some brothers and sisters in Christ in my life. I started to give more of my own life and desires to Him. So we press on knowing that Christ has made us his own and that is his desire for us.In order to receive this life you need to repent and open your eyes, answer the door, let Him into your heart. Repentance can be a momentary confession but is a lifelong process.
- The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30 (We could dwell on the past and point fingers but we realize that isn’t the answer, Jesus is.)
- If anyone would come after me , let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but lose his life for my life, will save it. Luke 9:23-24
Present: We live in tension between who we have been and who we want to be. Faith in God allows us to let go and look forward to what he wants us to become. Not to hang onto our past, but grow in the knowing of God and a building of your relationship with Him. We have been forgiven, so we can look forward to a more purpose guided life with God. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us
Future: God knows our final plans but in doing God’s will along the way our efforts in this partnership need to center on Him and not ourselves. We need to use our minds and heart. As we live for him, pray for guidance as you plan, and act in faith when working your plan.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
What’s your:
I was________?
I am_________?
Dear God,
I was selfish now I am changed while still a work in progress. Thank you for the change in my life. Please continue encourage us to put our Faith in you and not ourselves. Release us from the weight of our past and allow us to focus on our eternity with you. We don’t deserve the sacrifice you made for us but we know you are a loving God who gives grace. You know our past, you know or future. I pray you keep us attentive to your lifeline in your Word that you have provided and remembering the perfect example of your son Jesus. We lift this day up to you. Let Your will be done.