This Easter I'm consumed with desire. I'm clarifying my purpose. I'm working to chart my course - to identify my next step and to focus on "what really matters" during this season of life. Holy Week served to enhance my need for clarity. I've spent days praying and pondering - searching the scriptures to gain wisdom. I want to serve God's purposes.
How can I know God's purpose for my life if I don't (a) study the scriptures, and (b) take careful stock of my life: my attributes, abilities, passions, pace and temperament? I must slow down, pray and think. That's what I've done each day of Holy Week.
"Why does it matter?" you may wonder. "What's so important, that you set aside time to grapple with virtually impenetrable and esoteric questions about God's purpose for your life?"
This wonderful photo of my daughter Amber, eight weeks from delivering our first grandchild, is partial answer to your query, "Why does it matter?"
It matters because life is sacred and my children will be influenced by the way I live my life.
It matters because every child is endowed by God with sacred worth. Even if my role is small, my life either reinforces, or undermines, the probability all children will be loved, nurtured and trained in the way they should go, so their stories give God glory.
It matters because - whether I like it or not - my life will serve as an example to others. Whether my example is good, or bad, is up to me. My witness is my responsibility. My integrity is my obligation, and my example will be noticed.
It matters because no one can obey God for me, but me.
No one can serve God for me, but me.
No one can worship God for me, but me.
No one can love the Lord with heart, mind, soul and strength for me, but me. When I own-up to my personal responsibility, I testify to God's Truth....and I want everyone to know the Truth...because the Truth sets us free.
So, I've wrestled for days about God's purposes.
The result?
For the next five weeks every service at GCC will offer inspiration and biblical instruction on God's purposes. We'll worship and sing. We'll study and pray. And we'll dive deep into the Truth of God's love and purpose for each and every person's life.
My children aren't the only people who matter to God. My grandchildren aren't the only people who matter to God. It's not just my family...everyone matters to God! Me. You. Everyone!
Start this Easter weekend and join in a five-week-journey to discover God's purposes for your life. You have a role in God's story. I invite you to "SYNC" - the five-week-adventure that just might lead you to the meaningful life you're seeking.
1 Peter 1:18-23 - God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but only recently was he brought into public view, in these last days, as a blessing to you. Because of this, your trust can be in God who raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. Now your faith and hope can rest in him alone. Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts. For you have a new life.
(Special appreciation goes to Amber's friend [Mindy Leigh] for the remarkable pictures she recently produced from a photo-shoot with Amber and Ryan. She is quite good. I recommend her.)
That is just beautiful!
Posted by: Michelle Bythrow | April 12, 2009 at 12:15 AM