I am totally one of those New-Year's-Goals-makers. I make a long list every year and tell all my friends to hold me accountable.
"Ok guys, I'm going to get up every morning at 6AM and run 3 miles! YES, for the whole year! It's totally doable!"
Wrong-o. That didn't happen in 2011, or 2012. But it wasn't very rational.
Another goal we also put near the top is Jesus. We might just write his name first.
New Year's Goals
1. Jesus
2. More time with the fam
3. Be intentional with friendships
4. blah blah blah
5. Remember deodorant (wait, what?)
etc.
But as long as I got Jesus on there, I'm good. right? I mean, Jesus is first so it's ok. This is what we typically do.
But this morning I read Steven Furtick's (Pastor of Elevation church in Charlotte, North Carolina) blog, and couldn't agree with it more.
"Instead of putting Jesus first, why aren't we incorporating Him into every aspect of our lives?" In other words, putting Jesus in the middle.
Jesus in my family. Jesus in my friendships. Jesus in my finances.
Instead of Jesus being at the top of my list, why aren't I putting him in the middle with everything branching from Him?
Extraordinary things happen when Jesus is not put off as a separate part of our lives.
But what about the ones that are just as powerful but we sometimes overlook? Or maybe ones we haven't even heard before! And we read it and we're just like,
"OH MY GOSH GOD IS SO GOOD AND THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW, NOW"
2nd Timothy. It provided me with the previous reaction ^. In verses 2:20-21, it was one of those WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD/READ THIS BEFORE AND WHY DOESNT THE WORLD KNOW moments, and it's a perfect example of the Lord using us to do extraordinary things:
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work"
My heart is pounding.
Through His grace, we can do great things! We can be used for every special purpose! This is all possible when we let Him come into our lives, not as something separate or overlooked, but as the very center. The center from which everything branches out!
The Lord has the power to mold us from clay into gold vessels that honor and glorify Him!
This year, 2013, choose to refuse ordinary! Jesus, we are ready for You to use us for great and mighty things that far surpass our expectations for ourselves.
This is His promise to us in our pursuit of holiness!
This is His promise to us in our pursuit of holiness!
And if you need some inspiration, remember His words in John 14:12:
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father"
Is He the man or what.
Is He the man or what.
