I believe one of the most important, yet difficult lessons I have learned in my life, and yet continue to learn as well, is that life is not all about me. My life’s purpose is not about what makes me comfortable, happy, or fulfilled. It is not about indulging my selfish desires or pleasing myself above all others. While God loves to lavish us with wonderful gifts, and He loves to see us happy and fulfilled, it is not to be our life’s focus or ambition. On the contrary, our happiness is merely a byproduct that comes as a result of putting God first and allowing Him to have His way in our lives. He is more interested in developing our character and forming us into His own image, even if it means we must suffer or struggle to overcome very difficult circumstances. He knows what is ultimately best for us, and that is all He ever chooses for us.
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| Driving in a convertible is such a wonderful feeling of freedom! But ultimate freedom is ironically found only when God is in the driver’s seat. |
When we cooperate and do things His way, then we find absolute fulfillment and joy that are not available any other way. The blessings for obedience and submission are extraordinary and exorbitantly above anything we can ever ask or imagine. It is kind of a spiritual irony, because when we insist on our own way, that is when we find ourselves the most miserable and empty. However, when we yield our all to Him, we discover an inner joy that is more complete and full than anything we ever dreamed.
You see, we do not even belong to ourselves. We were bought with a price; we are His. We were created to give Him pleasure. That is our ultimate purpose. Yes, it is His pleasure that we enjoy life, but only from the perspective that we are His, and He gets to sit in the driver’s seat. He has the right to do with us, or to lead us, anywhere and any way He wants.
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11 KJV“For the Eternal is listening, and nothing pleases Him more than His people…” Psalms 149:4a (Voice)
Today’s Questions…
Today’s truth is speaking to me…
When I became His, I stepped from death into life. He lives inside of me and through me. I am His temple. I no longer belong to myself, but to Him. It is all His, and I can honor Him with my life – body and lifestyle. It is all about Him and not about me. How differently shall I then live?
God is asking me to…
Submit my plans to Him in exchange for His. Since I am His, I need to change my perspective and submit to His purpose for this life I live. That includes submitting my physical, mental and spiritual habits and choices to Him completely. I give Him all my time, talents, and treasures.
My challenge is to…
Establish habits that honor Him.
· Make healthy food choices, exercise daily, rest well, and practice other healthy lifestyle habits. I must take care of my physical health so I may have the energy, strength, and confidence to serve Him fully and to live as a fit example of His glorious creation.
· Write daily. This is His calling for my life, and it belongs to Him. I have no right to withhold this gift.
· Sing and play the piano daily, even going back to consistent vocal and keyboard exercises to offer back to Him excellence in the gifts He has given me.
· Most importantly, and actually first, to seek Him daily as to how He wants me to invest my time and to live each day. What are His goals for me each day? How can I give Him honor and glory each day?
Today’s prayer…
“Lord, life seems to be a constant back-and-forth struggle as I grow up in you. One day up. The next day down. Help me to stay connected to the truth that you live in me and want me to be set apart so that wherever I am you can do your will through me. Take your Word, which is living and active, and plant the truth of who I am deep in my heart. Help me remember that I belong to you.”
My favorite quotes of the day…
“I am a representative of Christ in this world, and he desires to work through me.”
“When we come to Christ, something happens in us – something beautiful, something powerful, and something that marks us as one no longer belonging to ourselves or this world.”
“If I took the temple truth seriously, would I be different? How would I live? How would I speak of myself? How would I think of myself? Would I abuse or neglect myself? Would I stand in awe of God more often if I realized he was in me and wanted to work through me?”
“After an experience meant to change everything, why do we still trudge through life as if we have no hope, no help? Why do we often live as though we are no different from a nonbeliever?”
“You do not belong to yourself but to God. You are his ambassador, representative, and light in this dark world. He is working in you and desires to work through you.”
I encourage you, and I hope this inspires you to find joy and fulfillment in what God has given you do do! Write on, Sister!
You said, " Write daily. This is His calling for my life, and it belongs to Him. I have no right to withhold this gift."
OUCH! As someone who I knows has the gift of writing – this is tough for me to do every day even though I believe it pleases God. This stepped on my toes – but in a good way!