Are You LIVING?

Life...we all have to live one, but how many of us really LIVE?! Jesus said He came to give us life to the full, but that hadn't been my Christian experience for many years. I think I am on the cusp of all that changing and God has been so faithful to draw me to real LIFE.

I've come to realize for years, out of respect for God and His Word, I mined the Bible for commands so I could apply them and have a godly little life. His Word is true and there is definitely blessing in obedience, but I found my heart was growing cold and hard and I was dying inside. I didn't desire a thing and really life became a mundane list of self imposed "Chrisitian" rules. I was managing my life, on my own really, using Chrisitian principles. Why this became so burdensome and harsh on my heart is rules takes God out of the picture. Its all human effort to be a Christian without the love, protection and provision by God. Its orphan, humanistic thinking and acting. I am realizing my life was somewhat directly related to my view of God--a judge that was distant.

As I've journeyed with God, He has healed hurt places in my heart, replaced lies that held me captive with His truth and opened my eyes to more of Him and His glorious ways. I'm finding myself in a new place and its exciting. The pressure to perform is off and so is the pressure to "control" my kids into being a Christian. Its like going from trying to hold all that life throws at you with my arms around it trying to carry and move it, to arms open wide encircled in God's arms with joy, rest and a quiet heart. This is a deeper surrender than any list of rules can give. Its a surrender to Someone bigger than myself in whom I can place my COMPLETE trust. Not only is this LIFE, its a broader path to walk and its the path to life (Ps. 18:36, 16:11) because God is leading instead of me controlling. My heart is daring to desire things out of reach because its not up to me to provide and orchestrate. Its up to me to ask God, the giver of good things, and wait upon His best--timing, opportunity, provision--whether it be yes or no. The pressure is off of me to figure it out, to find a rule to get me from point A to B, to get my kids in line. I can relax into the great I AM and know He is working for a far greater good than my human heart can even comprehend, and He is more jealous for all of our hearts to love Him and come to Him than any of my rules can produce. Not to mention, by living LOVED instead of controlling, He leads me to places I would have never gone for His glory. Its not about staying safe, its about being safe to venture out because He shows the way.

I'm loving having my arms open wide in worship instead of closed around life and those I know trying to control them in the name of Jesus.

Jesus is calling and wooing to greater depths of trust and love...the question is will you embrace rules to feel safe and secure or will you jump into His arms and dare to live? The quality of life you live hinges on this choice!

What do you want?

Now take the next step...I dare you!

Desire and Delay

How do you live with desires in your heart and the delay of their fulfillment? The simple yet complex answer is WAIT. I've personally have struggled with waiting--how do you wait proactively my heart cries out? Some practicals based on Psalm 37: 3-7,23,24 are: worship and enjoy God simple for who He is knowing He longs to be sought after and often will use desire to drive us to more of Him; live in the inspiration of who He is and His promises as this produces trust and patience; live each day fully present and not just dreaming about the future; practice thankfulness for where you are right now knowing this produces contentment; seek godly counsel knowing God will confirm or redirect what is on your heart--He's not a God of confusion; create space in your schedule to let your heart be quiet to hear from God without demanding answers--hold your desire with an open hand before God knowing He will make it all clear sometimes just a step at a time. Once God confirms and leads, follow Him and trust Him with the results--where you end up exactly may surprise you, but delight in the journey with Him...He is faithful!

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14

Honestly, I've been frustrated by "waiting" in our fast paced culture, but have experienced the huge blessing and wisdom of it. A period of waiting allows God time to prepare your character for what is to come. Through time, a desire can either fade if its not from God or blossom into something larger than originally conceived. If others are to be involved in the desire, time is a gift to align all hearts in a unified direction so no one feels forced or pushed into anything. Waiting is simply surrendering of our agenda to God's will and timing--it is always better when His spirit goes before you and prepares the way than charging ahead in your own strength! Waiting is much like a flower blooming...abide, wait, blossom in the Son and grow into fruit! The fruit is always worth the wait!!

"The vision (desire) is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, WAIT for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3