Joyful Christian
Somewhere along the way, some of us Christians have come to believe that every aspect of being a Christian must be painstakingly miserable. That just is not true! Yes, it takes sacrifice, but the amazing but difficult part for us to comprehend is that the sacrifice is only of the earthly nature. What I mean by that, is our emotional and physical desires tell us we want and need certain things that really never satisfy and only lead us to need more and more. However, when we take time to spend with our Counselor...you know, The One who created you and knows what will bring you lasting soul satisfaction...He will lead you toward what you were created for! For example, let’s say you feel a strong desire to move across the country and work in an orphanage. You have to make a lot of sacrifices...sale all you own, say goodbye to friends and family, use all the money you have travel to a foreign land. Those are earthly sacrifices and are very difficult but the soul satisfaction of fulfilling the purpose you were created for is the best reward you could ever ask for!! “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Msg I encourage you, spend time daily with God. Talk to Him, reading His Word (Bible), and journal all the thoughts that come to mind. Over time you will begin to distinguish the difference between your thoughts and God’s. Really let this sink in...if you are a Christian, you have the very Spirit of God Living inside of you!! That Spirit can converse with your Spirit, it’s a faint whisper...a peaceful guiding. It takes time but eventually you will receive answers to what God’s Will is for you through journaling, scripture, another Christian, a sermon, etc. He wants you to know and He will help you find your purpose and fulfillment! “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 Don’t be afraid to sit alone with God. Don’t be afraid to talk to God. “Prayer” may seem like a skill that you haven’t yet learned, but I say if you have the “skill” of prayer, it’s time to unlearn that skill. God wants you to talk to Him...a real, honest, transparent and raw conversation with Him. He knows your thoughts, so don’t be afraid to voice it all...even if it’s that you’re angry with Him. You have to start somewhere. “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Romans 8:26-27 The Msg Take time to visit with God in this coming week and consider all of the people in the Bible and in our recent history that He used to do amazing things. When you do, you’ll see that He chose the humble, weak and broken to accomplish beautiful things through. So, dream big, pray big, with faith that God knows you better than you know yourself and He wants you to discover who you are and what you were created for! That’s where a true and joyful abundant life comes from! 💕