May 17, 2016
The Cracked Life, Part 2
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Jesus said, ‘My purpose is to give life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10, NLT).
Friend to Friend
I have discovered some wonderful advantages to growing older. Honestly, I can get away with so much more than I could when I was younger – and I have to say that I love it!
Like many of you, I have paid some heavy life dues. I am enjoying a refreshing freedom in what I say and do - as long as I say and do it in love and with integrity before God.
I am flat-out amazed by the fact that people value my advice. They actually think I know what I am doing. Hilarious! I know!
But I am thrilled to share the lessons and God-truths I have learned along the way, and I am also free to occasionally respond with a hearty “I don’t have a clue what you should do.” No guilt. No shame. Just being real.
Yes, I have aches and pains that I really could do without, but that is why God made drugs and doctors to dispense those drugs. God has gifted doctors and counselors because He knew we would need them. We live in broken bodies and dwell in a broken world. We must deal with the consequences of our frail humanity until Jesus comes back and takes us to heaven where He gives us our perfect, pain-free bodies for all eternity. Yes! I cannot wait, but until that day, I know He wants my feet to hit the floor each morning, ready to face and delight in whatever He has for me to do.
One of my current personal life goals is to royally tick off Satan whenever I can. Some days, his feeble tactics make me laugh and I respond with, “Seriously, that’s is? That’s all you’ve got?” Other days, I am on my face before God asking for strength to withstand the demonic attacks of hell itself. Either way, I win. I have read the whole Book … and we win! No matter how bad it gets here and now, we win for all of eternity.
I can say with authority that you probably will live through that crisis you are convinced will be the death of you. What defines you today may very well seem ridiculous in ten years or even ten days.
Foolishness will hopefully give way to wisdom gained the hard way. I now give myself permission to do or not do things I once would have felt compelled to do simply because it was someone’s expectation … and not God’s plan.
My audience for this race of life has certainly changed over the years. I no longer give credence to those people who delight in leering at me through the fish bowl, waiting and watching for me to fall and fail so they can feel better about their own faults and failures.
Those people are not my audience. My audience is God Himself – and He is crazy about me, cheering me on every step of the way. You see, angels dance simply because I exist. I am God’s creation – and so are you.
Yes, there are moments when I desperately want to turn back the clock. But then, I come to my senses and realize that there are many years of my life that I really do not want to revisit, and there is so much of my life now that I love. My life is certainly not perfect. But girlfriend, perfection is for heaven – not earth.
We have choices to make with every passing season of life.
We can hang on to past accomplishments, using them as an excuse to sit and sour, or we can seek God, asking and expecting Him to use us up in His Kingdom work.
We can rise each day to dance with joy simply because we know Him and He knows us, or we can focus on what is wrong in our lives and be miserable.
We can sing at the top of our lungs that God is more than enough for whatever comes our way, or we can sing the blues.
We can choose to give Him praise – even when it seems like there is nothing for which to praise Him, or we can sit down and let fear trample us in the dust of Satan’s hissings.
We can grow old in body, mind and spirit, or we can serve Him with passion and purpose until we take our last breath.
Knowing God – loving God – serving God – sharing God will fuel a heart and a life that is forever young.
What about you? Are you living each day to the fullest? Jesus is all about living an abundant life in the here and now … no matter how young or old you are. Eternity began the moment you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior. Someone once said that life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take but by the moments that take our breath away. Let’s do this thing called life and let’s do it right – cracks and all!
Let’s Pray
Father, I do not want to stop living the life of purpose You created me to live. I choose to ignore those who would tell me to give up. I stand against the enemy who seduces me to quit the race when the obstacles seem impossible to overcome. No! I turn to You, Lord! I depend on You! I celebrate You, God! Until You come, I am Yours, Lord.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
If you could choose one word to describe your life journey so far, what would it be? Explain.
What one commitment do you need to make today in order to live the life of purpose God created you to live?
More from the Girlfriends
God wants us all to live a life of purpose and power. It is Never Too Late to Be Great is Mary’s four-week study based on the lives of Samson and Delilah. Each lesson will help you learn how to hear and respond to the call of God, choose forgiveness over revenge, take charge of your wants, and surround yourself with great people. Are you ready to step out in faith and pursue the greatness God has in store for you?
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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