It is a Jesus Thing

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

(John 10:10, NLT)

 

This assurance from Jesus is beautiful and full of hope.  Is there anyone who does not want a rich and satisfying life?  Every person, in his or her own way, is striving to find the things which make one feel complete and fulfilled.  But, I come today to suggest we have our eyes on the wrong prize. 

 

As I talk about myself, I am sure others will begin to see.  I read the King James Bible and mistakenly thought ‘life more abundantly’ meant enjoying plentiful possessions, obtaining symbols of status, and having my desires be God’s desires.  My passionate pursuit of higher learning, prominence in my career, financial wealth, the perfect mate, the next adrenaline rush, and…and….and….created a blind spot.    

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with these things in themselves.  God always intended for me to have a life full of achievement, pleasurable experiences, and companionship.  But, the greatest gift was meant to be knowledge so that I would not die for a lack of it.  The real tragedy would be me walking this earth spiritually dead because I failed to recognize Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

 

My free access to God through Christ is the thing to be valued most.  All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ (Ephesians 1:3, NLT).  I will have a rich and satisfying life because this bounty of love fills my heart and the overflow becomes the plenty in my hands.    

 

These spiritual blessings grow into more than what I could ask or think.  For, they are the knowledge of the goodness of God, peace in the time of storms, healing when others say death, the reward in putting God-given talent to good use, financial savvy, a multitude of loving family and friends, adventure, and…and…and….

Hello, It's Me God

God is talking always, but it may not be what you want to hear.  For example, I had just moved to a new city where I had no family.  Just like all the other times I had moved, my plan was to find a church and make its members my family.  There was joy and pain in the church I chose.  The words of wisdom coming out of the pulpit were life affirming and, excuse my gushing enthusiasm, glorious.  I felt better every time I entered that sanctuary.  However, the sanctuary was one of the infamous mega-churches.  That place was HUGE with a lot of people in it.  I had never felt so alone.  Everyone was polite enough, but the cliques were out in full force.  After two months, I had yet to find a friend let alone an extended family.  It was in this moment of frustration God spoke to me.  The person making church announcements encouraged all the unattached members to attend the next Singles Ministry event.  I am not shy, but I am bit socially difficult.  I can be a wall flower, the life of the party, or anything in between depending on my mood when I walk into a social venue.  Still, something told me I should go.  May I take a moment to point out that little voice we all talk about is just a euphemism for God?  So, I decide that the Singles Ministry event could be a good place to go on the hunt for an attractive man who was fixated on God like me.  Now, things were starting to get interesting!

On the designated night, I made my grand entrance determined to be the life of the party.  You can rest assured I was dressed for the part.  Conservative enough to let the men know I was the woman they could take home to mom but with just enough spice to make them wonder what trouble we could get into together.  It was not meant to be.  I normally can scan a room and know if a sparkling and tall man with a basketball frame will have to deal with me making googly eyes at him.  He was not there and there were not even any consolation prizes.  I know I sound harsh, but attraction is about pheromones and there were none floating in my direction.  I sat down and listened to the spiel about honoring God and enjoying life while one accepted His timing for when that handsome best friend (boyfriend) would arrive.  At the end of the event, everyone participated in an activity meant to help people get to know each other.  We all answered some questions and then looked for someone who answered similarly.  This how I met the first friend who shared the same deep faith I have.  This has more meaning when I point out I was in my thirties.  It is also relevant to point out that it was another woman who was also from the north.  I had come looking for a boyfriend.  God sent me a best friend. 

I was never alone in that huge church again.  It was like a snowball effect.  People felt we acted like bobbsey twins, but they were paying attention.  My social circle grew and I found my family slowly but surely.  My confidence grew and so did my excitement.   My eyes were opened.  There were a multitude of very interesting and nice men, reference to their looks was omitted on purpose, who would not be caught dead at a Singles Ministry event.  However, they were not averse to making the time right after church a singles mingle event.  As all women know, the best way to be seen in a cute and attractive outfit is to strike a pose and act like you are really engrossed by what your best buddies are telling you.  So, I heard ‘get a date at the Singles event’.  God was trying to say ‘build friendships first and the dates will come’.  Now, that is wisdom.

The Faithful One Gets Results

Hebrews 11:6 (NAS)
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
 

I am standing in the valley of the shadow of death trying not to look at the mountain but at the solution.  Surprisingly, a still small voice challenges me to BE faith versus to have faith.  My cry to God: How do I become faith?  He takes me on an awesome journey through the Word.  

Faith must be defined.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).  This is a very apt description of Jesus who is love incarnate.  The things we desire are the physical manifestations of this substantial affection which is full of grace.  God reigns unseen by us from His heavenly realm, but it is His actions which give each of us dominion over everything seen and experienced on this earth, including death.  Jesus is the evidence of this supremacy.  Talk about rising out of the valley and reaching the mountain top. This is a big step beyond trying to be like Jesus.  God wants me to be Jesus?!  

How can an imperfect, talking spirit wrapped in flesh reach such a lofty goal?  Limitless access to  the throne of God, like Jesus, is available to all because the Blood of the Lamb washes away all sins.  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood…(Romans 3:25 NLT).  This remission of sin allows me to arrive on the battlefields of life as if I were Jesus himself! 

The voice grows louder as it encourages me to believe the Blood can solve any problem every time.  I take that leap of faith and embody it.  God sees His perfect and precious firstborn when I approach. I receive the free gift of deliverance from my many troubles when I fully appropriate the power to tread upon those serpents and scorpions.  Faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain.  God only knows what faith the size of me can overcome.  For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37 NLT).