Over the weekend some of the quotes I tweeted got very enthusiastic responses from the tweeting community. I realized they have a common theme and thought I’d explore this a bit further. Especially when my daily Bible reading seemed to answer the yearnings of these quotes.

“Life is too short not to spend it doing what God wants us to do.” (Jack Hyles) Life seems to fly by. The biggest threat seems to be that we don’t get anything done while here on earth. That we spend it in endless pursuits of passing fancies and meaningless endeavors. The only way to have a purpose-filled life is through grace, apart from God we are nothing. But in him we are valuable. In Christ we find our identity, calling, meaning. “Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be. (2 Thess. 1:2, MSG)

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” (St Catherine of Siena) When we are in Christ, God will makes us everything we are to be. When we are who God meant us to be, we really are making difference. We can’t be what we are meant to be apart from God. But through empowering grace behind and through us we can set the world on fire. It doesn’t happen over night, it is a life long process. But if we are faithful, God will produce fruit through us. Grace will make it happen.

“Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” (William Carey) As we live by faith, we are to expect great things from God. We are to live closely to God and keenly listen to his promptings. We are to swiftly obey what he is commanding us to do. And we are to boldly attempt great things for God. Apart from God we can’t do great things. But through empowering grace behind and through us we can be part of the great things God is doing in the world.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely. (2 Thess. 1: 11-12, MSG)

With God’s energy we are fit to his purposes. God will empower us. He will put a fresh heart in us if we just ask. He will make it possible that our lives will count. God is the answer we are all yearning for. God is the answer for anything and everything. It might seem too simplistic but faith is just that. Mature faith is very basic but rich in mercy: we cling to Jesus and his grace is behind and through all this.

May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. (2. Thess. 2: 17, MSG)

 

Gracious God,
Invigorate us!
Give us each a new heart!
Make us everything we are to be!
Help us to do what you want us to do!
Give us grace upon grace!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U:Are you afraid that your life is slipping through your fingers?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you passionately serve God!

Photo courtesy of Stacey Lewis.