Based on a message by Ps Sharon Kelly on Sept 5, 2018 – The Struggle Is Real
Blog by Sandy Hopkins
We have a wise young boy in our church. Although bound at present in a wheelchair and after undergoing another surgery, he professed to his father afterwards “hard doesn’t mean bad Dad!”. Lincoln was 8 or 9 years of age when he made that statement, and it is etched in my memory – made all the more profound by the calibre of the child who made it.
It takes some of us many years of life before we discover such truth. We can get so caught up in the culture of the days we live in. Comparison, a sense of self-value and the need for acceptance can also drive our lives if we succumb to those pressures. Yet Jesus has an easier way for us…
Romans 12:2 TPT
“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”
For me the key to this is to never lose the awe and wonder of Jesus. If I keep Him as the center of my life – the most important relationship in my life, then He’s going to be the key focus of my life. He has plans for me that are good – He plans to prosper me and give me hope and a good future…
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
To know that God is thinking about me and has plans for good for my life blows my mind. The truth is, I did nothing to deserve this – it’s simply the goodness of God. His unconditional love for me (and you) is astounding! I cannot fathom why He would love me so much – but He does.
The way I see it – I owe Him everything and He owes me nothing. My life is His and the more I submit to Him and bow as if it were to His will for me, I see time and time again my life turning out better than I could have ever planned or hoped.
Maybe right now your life looks far from what you had hoped for. When you’re in the middle of what you might think is a mess take your eye, for a moment off your circumstances and focus instead on the good He has done in your life. I challenge you even now to write down 5 things that He has done that you are grateful for. Now thank Him for those 5 things and when you’ve finished thanking Him – ask Him to intervene in your current circumstance and ask Him to turn your mess into a miracle.
Faith is always a choice and we are called to walk by faith. What better day than today to start turning your life around – it all starts with you. Like I said earlier – the key to this is to never lose the awe and wonder of Jesus and that seed takes root with gratefulness.
PRAYER
Jesus I’m so grateful that You have plans for my life. Thank you for wanting the best for me! I choose to bend my will to Your will – please continue to light my path and cause me to see the higher plans you have. AMEN