It's Time

 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

   I was reading a book written by Erwin McManus today. You may have heard of it. The title is, "Seizing your Divine Moment." It's pretty good, and I came across a few quotes which essentially said this --> We tend to put a glass screen between real life and us because the closest we get to fulfilling our life's dreams is watching them. We've accepted our place in life as sideliners…. The essence of spiritual leadership is the one who is willing to take the first step, to follow God first.

   It got me thinking to how many of us wake up everyday with no purpose- how many of us just try to make it through the day. The word Christianity isn't a lifestyle, it is just a word we toss around. We have been taught by our culture, by our parents, our peers, that life is to be lived like this. Waking up, working, trying to get by and trying to be happy. Trying, trying, trying. When we collapse in bed at night, we thank God for helping us get through the day. We see our dreams and aspirations but they seem too crazy to achieve. We think that our secret goals are too crazy for normal people like us to actually achieve. And we let them pass us by, slip away until we stop remembering the true dreams Jesus built into us for a specific purpose. Is this supposed to be living? I am beginning to see that it's not what God meant for us at all.

  The Bible isn't full of people that just made it through the day. It is full of people that did something, that woke up every morning and were not afraid to have crazy faith- and weren't afraid to act on it! Look at Noah- who was completely scoffed at by all who knew of him. He appeared to be a mad, old man and ended up playing a role in saving the world. Look at Abraham, who left his country to follow God. Look at David, Gideon, Ruth, Esther, Paul. They were not ordinary people. But they were just like you. In fact, you are not just an ordinary person. Did you know that?

   And maybe you know that. Maybe you want to live a life of passion for God. Maybe you want to do something crazy and live out your purpose, but you feel you don't know where to begin. I think as Christians we have a tunnel vision misconception that to do something great we have to follow in someone else's footsteps.. But guess what? Their purpose is not your purpose.

  Make a new path. God has created you as a new creation, therefore you will not have the same dreams and desires as others. He is calling you to blaze a completely new path in his kingdom. You may be totally terrified that God is calling you to do something completely off the beaten path. You may say "Well why can't I just do this like everyone else? Or that?" And you can, there is no harm in that. But is it your purpose? God wants pioneers, adventurers that are going to pursue him where no one else has gone before. He wants people to step out and be afraid, so that we can make new roads to glorify him.

  What dreams and goals have you had since you were little? What gifts has God given you to use that you may only be using halfheartedly? God innately puts into us a desire for his purpose. Sometimes we live it out, but more often than not we forget about it. We think getting this degree is what we want, or working here, or making this salary, etc. But underneath it all, what have you always wanted? God is pursuing you and he has put certain desires in our heart so that we will pursue him.
 
  He is relentless and you will not be fulfilled until you are living your purpose out completely for him. Do not be afraid to have crazy dreams for Jesus. And take the initiative! God gave you a brain, so step out and do what he has called you to do! Sometimes your faith is not going to make sense to other people. Sometimes Christians will not even understand what you do, but your purpose lies beyond them. Your purpose is Jesus.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10