Just Getting Started
On the plane flying into Chicago from Portland I had a very close time with my Father. Though delirious, tired, and with a glazed look on my face I somehow was still able to hear what my Father was telling me as I opened His Word. Thousands of feet in the air I look down on His creation, and the wonder of getting to meet with its Creator was astounding.
I've been churning the wise words in my heart and mind from a woman who has come along side of me in Portland, and has helped me in so many ways in this time of transition. God never ceases to place strong women of faith in my life, I'm so thankful. One of the things she reminded me of is that I'm just getting started in what God has laid out for me. That what is behind is behind, and what defines me is not what I've done, but what He has done, and done in me. As I chewed on her words, and allowed God to help me see and apply, and grasp the truths of my friends words He reminded me of a few things. I couldn't write fast enough as He opened His heart to me.
Jesus' work and influence on Earth did not end after His ascention into Heaven, it was just getting started! The church did not end after all the disciples died, it was just getting started. My life thus far is not counted as loss over mistakes I've made. Not all hope it lost, I didn't blow my one and only chance...God is the God of second chances, and third chances. I'm 24 years old, and I'm just getting started. I've not yet lived my best days. Even if I was 50 or 60 I would still have to believe the best is yet to come, and it's true! The ultimate is seeing Jesus face to face, and until then it's all about the legacy and ending well. The church I serve at in Portland is 24 as well. Greater Gresham hasn't seen it's best days yet. Don't give up on people, or the church. We're all stinkers who need Jesus.
What are we becoming? In our individual ministries, individual churches, and individual lives? How we answer that question determines the if we will make it to pass the baton of faith on to others, and do it well. Can we look back and see growth? That's a good sign. Or are we still at the started line? Are where we should be? If not, what is stunting growth?
What we've done in the past doesn't have to determine the future. Rather look at the past life of shaping, and preparing for the things God has in store. More than anything be encouraged by this: Jesus is praying for you. John 17 says that Jesus prays that joy will be fulfilled in our lives, that we will be protected from the evil one. The evil one being Satan. He prays we will be sanctified by the truth of His Word, that we would be one with Him and the Father. These last two particularly spoke to me the most. Along the lines of the best days ahead verse 21 explains how that happens. Being one with the Father and the Son. That's how the world will believe God sent His Son. This is a powerful thought! He created the World, and loves the World, we are on mission to the World, He will enable those bound to Him to reach the World effectively. BE THIS!! Verse 24 tells us Jesus prays we will behold His glory. To be with Him, in the fullness of His glory with is Heaven. Meeting Him in the air. Reading this while flying really got to me because I feel as if I behold a tiny part of His glory in the creation around me, and it doesn't compare to that day! We're just getting started.
Seek Him in all you do. Keep pressing on until that day.
I've been churning the wise words in my heart and mind from a woman who has come along side of me in Portland, and has helped me in so many ways in this time of transition. God never ceases to place strong women of faith in my life, I'm so thankful. One of the things she reminded me of is that I'm just getting started in what God has laid out for me. That what is behind is behind, and what defines me is not what I've done, but what He has done, and done in me. As I chewed on her words, and allowed God to help me see and apply, and grasp the truths of my friends words He reminded me of a few things. I couldn't write fast enough as He opened His heart to me.
Jesus' work and influence on Earth did not end after His ascention into Heaven, it was just getting started! The church did not end after all the disciples died, it was just getting started. My life thus far is not counted as loss over mistakes I've made. Not all hope it lost, I didn't blow my one and only chance...God is the God of second chances, and third chances. I'm 24 years old, and I'm just getting started. I've not yet lived my best days. Even if I was 50 or 60 I would still have to believe the best is yet to come, and it's true! The ultimate is seeing Jesus face to face, and until then it's all about the legacy and ending well. The church I serve at in Portland is 24 as well. Greater Gresham hasn't seen it's best days yet. Don't give up on people, or the church. We're all stinkers who need Jesus.
What are we becoming? In our individual ministries, individual churches, and individual lives? How we answer that question determines the if we will make it to pass the baton of faith on to others, and do it well. Can we look back and see growth? That's a good sign. Or are we still at the started line? Are where we should be? If not, what is stunting growth?
What we've done in the past doesn't have to determine the future. Rather look at the past life of shaping, and preparing for the things God has in store. More than anything be encouraged by this: Jesus is praying for you. John 17 says that Jesus prays that joy will be fulfilled in our lives, that we will be protected from the evil one. The evil one being Satan. He prays we will be sanctified by the truth of His Word, that we would be one with Him and the Father. These last two particularly spoke to me the most. Along the lines of the best days ahead verse 21 explains how that happens. Being one with the Father and the Son. That's how the world will believe God sent His Son. This is a powerful thought! He created the World, and loves the World, we are on mission to the World, He will enable those bound to Him to reach the World effectively. BE THIS!! Verse 24 tells us Jesus prays we will behold His glory. To be with Him, in the fullness of His glory with is Heaven. Meeting Him in the air. Reading this while flying really got to me because I feel as if I behold a tiny part of His glory in the creation around me, and it doesn't compare to that day! We're just getting started.
Seek Him in all you do. Keep pressing on until that day.
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