For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 13:14 NLT
Recently, in my circle, there have been accidents, illnesses, hospitalizations and saints graduating to their heavenly abode, myself included. I’m not dead yet, but after spending a few days in the hospital with heart problems, my perspective has changed a bit. Perhaps it’s my priorities that have changed.
Life is fragile. Everything hangs in a delicate balance, held together by the Word of God. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been more grateful to be alive. I’ve made so many mistakes, taken so many unnecessary risks, willfully sinned time and again and yet, God in his grace, has preserved me, redeemed me, blessed me and rescued me, time and again.
I feel like God is calling us all back to Himself. So much of my Christian life and ministry has been me doing what I thought God would want me to do. I was in charge of what I did and said instead of being submitted to the Holy Spirit’s leading. This is where God is leading me now: the Holy Spirit’s leading only.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:25 NLT
It’s only by looking backwards that we can connect all the dots and see how all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So how do we proceed? Day by day, yielded to the Spirit, trusting that God knows best.
When I do what God tells me to do, it always works out better than I could ever imagine. It’s usually not in my timing and God receives all the glory. Case in point, I was having coffee with a pastor friend of mine yesterday. I recalled how God prompted me to invite him to a function at a local mission that I was teaching at years ago. He and a friend of his are both teachers there to this day! And I think it’s been a couple years since I last taught there. God had a plan. I just needed to obey in the moment.
God connects the dots. He has a plan and a purpose. When we submit to his lordship in our lives, He does the impossible and makes it look easy.
God is calling us back to Himself. Return to the Lord. He is eternal life. Walk with the Lord. His yoke is easy. It’s gentle. His burden is light. It’s not too much to ask. It’s not that big of a stretch. Really, it’s the call to love. It’s the ask of being kind. That’s the work of God in our lives. Compassion is the fuel for the engine that is the Body of Christ.
Love your neighbors. Pray for your enemies. Jesus is coming back soon to take us all home. Homecoming. The marriage supper of the Lamb. Keep that in your sights. Remember why He created you. To live for Him. To bring Him glory. And to bear much fruit. As we abide in Him and His Spirit in us, the fruit of the Spirit will continually be produced in our lives as a blessing to others.
May God give you a fresh perspective and a renewed vision for where He is calling you to bear His image and to be His likeness in this dark and broken world.
God, we long to see You face to face. To become just like You, in regards to love. We give You permission to mold us and make us just as You wish. You are our Father and we are the sheep in Your care. Be the Lord of our lives. We honor You as King. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit. May we have eternal life in You. To God be the glory, forever and ever, amen.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 NLT
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