FINDING GOD'S PATH AND PURPOSE MEANS LOOKING OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF
Thanksgiving is a time of Reflection for all the things in our lives that we are indeed Thankful For ! A Christian perspective moves us to look towards God in Thankfulness and Appreciation for all the Blessings He Has Bestowed Upon Us….But I believe it also brings into focus the need to look Outside Of Ourselves Toward Others ! It is a time when we must Thirst and Hunger not just for the things that bless us, but even more importanty, WHERE CAN WE USE THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US TO BLESS OTHERS ? Each and every one of us has amazing gifts that God has bestowed upon us to USE ! The incredible UNITY of the Body Of Christ comes from our DIVERSITY ! My Strengths are made Complete when they are Complimented by a different Strength that shines Powerfully in someone else. The Multitude of Gifts that God has bestowed upon us truly should leave us in AWE. What seems impossible to me can often be so easy and accessible through someone else. Finding One’s Gift or Gifts is truly a matter of Seeking Them :) We spend so much of our lives and time focused on ourselves and our needs. Jesus came to earth, and HIS FOCUS was on Humankind, A complete Love and Desire for us to find Relationship and Completeness in GOD. The apostles who followed Him learned to focus on helping, healing and teaching others, while striving to learn and absorb all that Jesus offered them. Just like us, they struggled to figure out their gifts and purpose. Just like us, they were imperfect and flawed…and yet, THEY GAVE UP EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW JESUS ! To follow Him is way more than simply “Believing”, and it results in far more than just “Salvation.” Our Entire Life should be a continuation of God’s Purpose for us “Unto Our Final Breath.” Then, Forward, into Eternal Purpose ! DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS ETERNAL AND ALSO YOUR TRUE PURPOSE ? It is so important to Grow into the understanding that our time here, while important in doing God’s Work, is truly a vapor in comparison to our Eternal Time and Purpose.
MANY ARE THE PLANS IN THE MIND OF A MAN, BUT IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD THAT WILL STAND. Proverbs 19:21
IN HIM WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, HAVING BEEN PREDESTINED ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF HIM WHO WORKS ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL, SO THAT WE WHO WERE THE FIRST TO HOPE IN CHRIST MIGHT BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. Ephesians 1: 11-12
AND THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE, THAT THEY KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM YOU HAVE SENT. John 17:3
So, where is your Heart and Purpose these days ? Is it focused on yourself and your life only….or do you have a Heart and Purpose for MORE ? It is easy for us to concentrate on Ourselves, even in a Spiritual Way. IF only I can Learn More. IF only I can have more time to see my purpose and actions once I have finished doing what I Prioritize ! I will get around to God’s Purpose EVENTUALLY ! It is not always easy, and it is not always crystal clear, but GOD WILL SHOW YOU….once your HEART DESIRES IT :) I truly never pictured myself serving the Homeless Community. I was prone to Avoid them ! I often thought that perhaps their choices put them there, and to what end ? Addiction ? Laziness ? Excuse Making ? I MISSED THE MARK ! When I go out and meet a homeless man or woman, I want to let them know THEY ARE LOVED. They are not perfect, and Neither Am I. I want them to know that I See and Hear Them, and OH SO MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT GOD DOES TOO ! I’ve been in struggles before, but never homeless, alone, lost, in pain, and cast aside:( GOD’S LOVE. It Overcomes all the pain, loneliness, addiction and Hopelessness. I HAVE SEEN GOD’S REDEMPTIVE POWER out there in the Streets; and by the way, those Streets are indeed MEAN ! The promise JESUS brings to people in need is so profound, and WE ARE HIS HANDS AND FEET. No matter your age, and no matter the length of the runway you see before you, know that GOD wants you to make the absolute MOST of all the Gifts and Purpose He has given you. WILL YOU MOVE IN HIM AND GET OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF ?
WHEN MY SOUL WAS EMBITTERED, WHEN I WAS PRICKED IN HEART, I WAS BRUTISH AND IGNORANT; I WAS LIKE A BEAST TOWARD YOU. NEVERTHELESS, I AM CONTINUALLY WITH YOU; YOU HOLD MY RIGHT HAND. YOU GUIDE ME WITH YOUR COUNSEL, AND AFTERWARDS YOU WILL RECEIVE ME TO GLORY. WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT YOU ? AND THERE IS NOTHING ON EARTH THAT I DESIRE BESIDES YOU. Psalm 73: 21-28
FOR THE CREATION WAITS WITH EAGER LONGING FOR THE REVEALING OF THE SONS OF GOD. Romans 8:19
“TEACHER, WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW?” AND HE SAID TO HIM, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE GREAT AND FIRST COMMANDMENT. AND A SECOND IS LIKE IT : YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS DEPEND THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.” Matthew 22: 36-40
I am so THANKFUL THAT GOD MEETS ME RIGHT WHERE I AM ! He overlooks my imperfection and sin because I AM IN CHRIST :) May this Thanksgiving and holiday season move Your Heart to move Outside Yourself and SERVE OTHERS ! He has predestined your path. Will you look for it, and WALK on and in it ? Seek Him. Talk to Him. IN HIS LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP, YOU WILL BE COMPLETE ! SEE OTHERS FIRST/JAA
AND I AM SURE OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION AT THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST. Philippians 1:6
BE BLESSED, AMEN