Insane

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. I Timothy 6:19

We're on the verge of another new year. The question for each of us is, will this year take us deeper into Him, or further away? I think that for the next few writings, I'll try to address this.

In my prayer journal, in reference to I Timothy 6:19, I've written, "May I (we) take hold of the life that is truly life." That is my prayer for me, and it's my prayer for you. Jesus Christ offers us life. His life. Abundant life. Full life. It's up to us as to whether we receive and walk in it or not.

I heard Francis Chan speaking on the Scripture picture of Jesus standing and knocking at the door of our heart, seeking entry. He said that it would be the mark of insanity if he were to turn Him away. It would, but huge numbers of people do just that. Every day. Every. Day. Jesus Christ offers life. Eternal life. Life that begins the moment we receive it. Many receive Him as Savior, but they never receive Him in the fullness of His life. They never allow themselves to be swallowed up by His life. They keep trying to manage life in their own strength. All the riches that are found in Him are offered to them, but they refuse. It's "insane" that anyone would do so, but they do. Do you?

Paul exhorts us this Scripture to "take hold" of this life. It requires an action on our part to do this. We must reach out to lay hold of it. Why don't we? We don't because to take hold of His life we have to let go of ours. This requires equal parts of surrender, trust, and obedience. We surrender our confidence in ourselves, trust in His leadership and ways, and obey His directions as He leads us. And He always leads us more deeply into His abundant life. As Chan said, it's insane that we should refuse Him...but we do. Maybe this past year, in some ways, maybe all ways, you've refused Him. He's still standing there....knocking, offering His life on this day, in this new year. Will you draw near to Him, or further away?

It will continue to be my prayer for you, me, all of us, that we will not miss Him in any part of this new year. That we will hear His knocking, open our heart doors to all that He is and offers, and take hold of the life that is truly life. Will we run to that life....or will we run further away from it? Can you hear Him knocking?

Blessings,
Pastor O