Boundless
My heart is full, and I am present. This abundant life I live in Christ is the best representation of Him I can offer. His example of giving Himself without reservation in every moment is my guide and my standard. Of course, I don’t always live up to that standard, but my desire to be like Him deepens with the coming of time.
When time flees from me, I am sorely limited. But when time rolls toward me, I find it easier to live in the boundless now. What is the difference? I’m not sure I understand the whole of this marvelous mystery. I think, in part, it has something to do with looking for His appearing, living with hope and expectancy that the hour cometh. What I do know is that knowing Him opens me up to the benefits of all that He is. Every moment unfolding with opportunity to be as He is and do as He does.
Our divine purpose is to receive the divine and give it. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV) In God’s economy, the richness of life comes in the giving of life.
Jesus emptied Himself, and the Father exalted Him. Jesus gave up His earthly life, and He won the victory over death. Jesus dispensed all the Father gave Him and purchased everlasting life for you and me. So we, too, must lose our life to gain life. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25 NASB) This is entirely contrary to the world view of success and counter-intuitive to human nature.
When making application of God’s guiding principles, I find it best to start with what He has done rather than what I have not done. In the past month, He has given us opportunities to be hospitable, to supply resources, to share our lives, to share His life, to offer encouragement, to offer refreshment, to teach, and to support. Do we know how God has used these moments for His glory? Not always. Do we know that He has? Yes. His Word tells us that He works all these things for His glory.
“In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-12 NASB)
As you embrace the moments coming to you this week, look for those opportunities to be generous of heart, to give of yourself, your time, and your resources. The things you discover in Him and of Him will enrich you beyond measure. The trust we place in Him opens up boundless possibilities, and He plants our feet in a broad place.
Until next week, beloved, live fully present in the boundless now of His love and grace.