Utterly incapable

But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-24 (The Message)

When life is tracking along well and everything is 'falling into place' I find it easy to sometimes forget the 'mess' that was and how Jesus rescued me. 

I sometimes forget that before I invited Jesus to be Lord of my life, I was utterly incapable of finding the peace I longed for.  My search for peace in the acquisition of material items was completely fruitless. There was always something else to purchase that I thought would make me feel complete, like I had "made it"!

I was utterly incapable of finding a purpose for my life despite searching many paths. Not one of those paths could fill the void that was in my life. The void that was asking, why I am here on this earth?  What is my life really all about?

Today, 18 years on from making that decision to invite Jesus to be my Saviour, I am so grateful for the amazing generosity God has shown me. The way, through Jesus, he has gently guided me along the glorious path he has willed for me. Yes, there have been many 'hiccups' along the way, but Jesus has been there with me, helping me to navigate the tough times. 

I have a peace that, given the immense challenges I have faced, I never would have thought possible. A peace that comes from Jesus alone. 

I have a purpose in life that rings true in my heart. A purpose that fills the void. A purpose that I was utterly incapable of before receiving God's pure gift of Jesus.

Some questions for today:

Peace; do you have it? do you want it? where are you searching for it?

Purpose; do you have one? do you want one? where are you searching for one?

Satisfying the short-term appetite

Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing - but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. Hebrews 12:16,17 (The Message)

As I read this scripture yesterday I was convicted by the Holy Spirit regarding my short-term appetite! How many times had I taken steps to satisfy that short-term appetite, only, thankfully, to be convicted by the Holy Spirit, and nudged back on to God's path for my life.  How many times have I looked for the quick fix to life's many challenges, the quick and easy answer. Only to learn time after time that the quick fix is not normally God's fix!

Rather, God is interested in helping us to live our life with the lifelong gift he has given us. Tests come along in life, and God wants to see what choices we will make. These tests are a shake-up of sorts.

'The phrase, 'one last shaking' means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered' Hebrews 12:27 (The message)

Thankfully for us today, we don't have to take these tests on our own. We have Jesus, 'who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's - a homicide that cried out for vengeance - became a proclamation of grace.' Hebrews 12:23,24 (The Message)

What timely reminder as we start a new year. A reminder that Jesus is a proclamation of grace, available to us 24/7.  Let's make a choice to do 2014 accepting Jesus as our lifelong gift.