Opportunities to be Present

Hi!  I know it has been a while... lots going on lately and not too much spare time for postings.  I just wanted to drop in and share a few things that have been on my mind of late.

My Pastor recently challenged us to be very PRESENT in this New Year... I won't give you the whole sermon, but the jest is to be present - involved, available, open, serving, loving, etc with your family, friends, church, and beyond.  We are the Church and as such we are to be the hands and feet of Christ... He is our example and who we should imitate ourselves after. 

Maybe that seems overwhelming to you?!  But in truth it should be like breathing... it should become our nature... For we are not, nor can we be all that this encompasses on our own, in our own strength it is not possible.  However, we are not to rely on our own strenght but on the strength, the power, the nature of the Holy Spirit who indwells in us.  Through Him all things are possible, not through our own efforts...

I am not striving here for perfectionism... I am striving to be pleasing to God and to glorify Him.  I admit now that on my own I can't do it!  It is by His grace, love, and Spirit that if anything I write (or do) resounds with you on a deeper level, it is all Him. 

So basically it comes down to keeping your eyes on Him, loving and growing in your relationship with Him and allowing His love to be poured out through you onto others... Be open, available; & take the opportunities He gives you.

Which brings me to another thing I have been thinking about... Opportunities.  Sometimes opportunities come to us in joyous occasions, in new friendships, births, ministries, jobs... However, sometimes opportunities, maybe more than sometimes they come in the times of loss, trails, temptations, broken relationships, sickness, and such.  In these times if we can look beyond our present pain and grasp and cling to the hand of God, He will not only carry us through these times He will grow us, He will show us more of Him, of His glory.  Maybe at the time we can't see that He is there but He is... He is present... maybe we are standing in the cave and His hand covers us so we cannot see His face, but when the time is right He will reveal to us that He has been with us all along.  He is present.  He does not forsake... When we grieve He grieves, when we are rejoicing He is too! 

Opportunities... We don't often think of them as such.  We want to quickly get through these times ... we want that mountain top experience... we want to have a pain free, easy life.  A life like that does not produce within us the character of God because we then come to rely on ourselves and we can become prideful... stop seeking.  In the hardships of our lives we are given opportunities to grow... Closer to God, to grow our character to be more like Christ.  Opportunities to deepen our faith and to bring Him glory. 

Don't get me wrong... I am not perfect and I do not always grab at these opportunities as I should... I don't always acknowledge what they really are and I bemoan them.  But there are times that I recognize them even when I can't see the fruit... I choose to trust and to believe and cling to my Rock.

So it comes down to this... we have rung in a new year... many are making goals and promises that they will not keep... but let us do the one thing we can do - choose to be fully PRESENT in this year, choose to keep our eyes on Him and to believe Him, in all the opportunities we are presented with - the hopes, the challenges, the ups and downs.... Lay it all down at His feet and choose to walk with Him this year. 

It will be a journey you will never forget.  Right now pause, close your eyes and envision a road ... You can't see where all it will take or how smooth or bumpy it will be but you can see who you will travel the road with - Jesus.  Do you see Him standing there with His hand stretched out, inviting you to come and walk with Him... take that hand and never let go.  It will be a walk to remember, to cherish, to celebrate and to give much praise for.

Remember you are His.