Today was amazing from the get go! I woke up earlier to get to church to help with last minute details. I met up with my dear friends for a quick hello and some chit chat before rushing off to nursery for the first and second service. When I got to the third service I was ready for a break :) I love the babies and teens, they are my heart and soul but I was ready for some worship time with God.
I felt like the message was going to be the normal Easter message. Don't get me wrong I would gladly hear it anytime yet I felt like I needed something different today. Then PB started talking about what it is like to give your life to God and he had my attention! See I invited God into my heart in May 2006 and he started chipping away things in my little by little. Then on November 5th, 2008 after months even years of thing building in my life, God set me at a crossroads. The choice was to keep going on the broken road leading nowhere or surrender my life to Jesus for a change!
I decided that afternoon the time had come to give up everything to God. Now don't think it was that easy, following God is not always a feel good feeling but it is the narrow path few choice to take in life. The reward is not here on earth, you will receive it in Heaven.
PB reminded us today that the world (enemy) is trying to make Jesus small in our lives. We can't make Jesus fit in whenever we want, he needs to be in control of our lives! When we truly come to Jesus our hearts change. I can confirm that is true. Those jokes or movies that seemed funny don't anymore...they disturb my spirit because they are wrong. People who lie, cheat, steal and hurt others with their words don't need to be apart of my life. I will love them like Jesus but he instructs us not to live life with them or you will become one of them. I do not have to tolerate their lifestyle if it causes my spiritual growth to be hindered. God doesn't want those people to take us away from him! We should always be growing towards God, change is the only thing constant in life! If you rebuke change them you become stale to God and the world he wants you to change!
When you release control you will become a new creation with new motivation, new thinking, new desires, a new world view...everything will change. God will change it all so he can use you and work through you to reach others. Some people will come into your life a friends and leave as strangers. God knows the bigger picture on why they played a role in your life even when the pain you have won't allow you to see it. We aren't to question God just trust him!
Jesus had to become big to me since I believe in a big God and have BIG dreams that only he can help me achieve. He is the creator of all, he lived perfectly and died brutually for me and you! We are called to live big but that doesn't mean lots or big material items in your life.
PB mentioned a few things you may have to surrender when you give everything in your life to God. Let me list a few of them and where I currently stand with those areas:
1 - He mentioned you might lose relationships (friends) - YUP! Lost those but within 3 days (a trinity sign?) God blessed me with an amazing core group of friends. Each person has introduced me to more people and I can't even tell you how many I call friends now.
2 - You might lose your job/finances hit - YUP! Lost my job 3 months ago and finances have taken a hit. I have 2 current positions lining up in the next month or so. I will be doing things I love in life and investing in God's kingdom. I am hoping another trinity example happens and the 3rd job I get will be enough to cover my living expenses. While I wait for God's plan to unroll I don't waste my time. I give it all to God, I volunteer at church, Diverge student ministries, with friends, in my community and mentor at 2nd Chance High School. Anything needed I give...it is all for God.
3 - My 10 year plan - YUP! That went out the window a long time ago and mainly because it was MINE and not HIS!
4 - Stuff - YUP! I am selling and downsizing!
LOL - want a few more areas he didn't mention you might lose?
5 - My church - I changed campus' then we merged many months ago - what God takes he gives back if it is his will. I was given back an amazing gift!
6 - My apartment - YUP! I am being blessed with some opportunities to come - further details to follow.
7 - My cats - YUP! Even though PB may occassionally run over a cat I have to find new homes for my babies. I am at peace with this since I know it is what God wants.
8 - One of my ministries - YUP! However, I found I was blessed to get more involved in a ministry that has captured my heart and able to join one that blesses me beyond belief each week.
Remember, God demands it all. Anything/anyone you are not willing to give to God he will take away. Those who have not surrendered to God will mock you and pound you down (trust me I know!) but never give up! The battle is God's not our own and he will have vengenance on those who attack his people. I take comfort in knowing God's punishment is worse than anything I could ever do or say to someone.
CONCLUSION: Today's message confirmed that the journey started 150 days ago has been wild, crazy, sad, fun, happy, joyous, scary and so much more! I don't know what each day holds but I know who holds it in his hands....JESUS!
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