February 22, 2008

I choose a new closing to my reflection each calendar year. ‘Be at peace’, ‘Rejoicing in hope’, ‘Under His Wings,’ and ‘Courage’ have been recent ones. Some of you have noticed.

I close this year’s ‘with full commitment’. I point this out because of my sermon focus this week. I’ve had to consider what it means for God to have everything of my life.

It’s more than just the focus of my life. Mike Tucker points out that when God has our lives, even worry becomes a call to prayer. I like that picture.

The things of this world can function to pull us away from God. Or we can turn them up-side down and let them remind us of how much we need Him – and then do something about it.

I pray weekly with a man whose family has way, way more than their share of physical challenges. Any one of his family could individually overwhelm you with the issues in his/her life. But his testimony is that, because of the dependence on God his situation demands, he’s unsure whether he would choose to have his live any other way if given the choice.

One thing I’ve noticed. When God has all of my consciousness, the potential for intimacy with Him is infinite. I thrive on realized potential.

“I will give them hearts that will recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” Jeremiah 24:7

With full commitment,
Pastor Steve