Carpe Diem
Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly". Man! Do we actually believe that the best life we could ever have is found in giving it all up and following the Lord? I used to believe this in theory, but as I continue to step out in obedience, saying "yes" and "yes" and "yes" to the things the Lord is asking of me, I realize my life is incredible.
Something I felt like God was saying for the year 2025 was "life", and I really feel that! I feel like I'm truly experiencing the joy of a surrendered and all-in heart. It's actually SO life giving to give up your time, your resources, your anything. It's life giving to adjust boundaries to stay farther from sin. It's life giving to apologize and ask for forgiveness (I love you Kiden). It's life giving to serve at church, especially in ways that stretch you.
I barely have time to do anything for myself these days, but I actually love it. I love going hard and sending it at work to honor my company. I love hosting events at our house and essentially giving up a weekend. I love going to MTS (Mosaic Training School) on Sunday nights and giving up 3 hours to learn more about the Lord.
I'm not saying all of this to puff myself up (absolutely not) but actually I want you to be encouraged and know that the life OF YOUR DREAMS is waiting behind complete surrender to the Lord. He's the one who designed this world anyways. It sounds so simple, but we kinda just gloss over this. He designed everything and has taught us clearly what the narrow path looks like. He said, "if you want a rich life then just do this" and people still just try to live their cultural version of Christianity or go to church on Sunday and that ends up as the extent of their faith. Like WHAT?! God has promised us so much if we go all in, lay down our lives. Are you living your life trying to save it?
From our Lord: "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Have you actually lost your life? What has it cost you to follow Jesus?
I want you to know that God has so much grace for you. He is, "gracious and compassionate, abounding in steadfast love". He's calling us all into deeper intimacy, deeper surrender. Just ask him, "Lord, what is the next thing you're calling me to?" Even still, he is so patient.
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
Some other things:
- What's so wonderful is that I'm finding all of my mundane life things to be connected to the Lord now. Everything is an opportunity to glorify God. Waking up early, exercise, studying Japanese, working on this website, cooking, everything is now just such a blessing I get to experience.
- In addition, the "good" things, like music, friendship, sunsets, they are all just so much more satisfying and incredible.
- I'm realizing I don't really waste much time anymore. Thank you, Lord. Help me to stay off of YouTube š (or learn how to moderate it)
- I'm eager to live my entire life this way. I only really feel like I've been running this last year or two. When I think about this, I'm just so thankful for the many blessings our God has given us. Life is actually so wonderful.