Throw it in the Fire

Spring is in the air! Can I get a hallelujah! The snow has melted, the sun is out and the temp is rising. Having lived in Florida most of my life it's been awhile since I experienced a true spring. I must admit, I am loving this change.
 
There is one thing I don't care for so much, everything is brown, muddy and dead, but I know that life is ready to blossom just under the surface. Throughout the area there seem to be two different types of yards, those who took care and cleaned up all of the leaves when they fell in the fall and those who didn't. Ah, human nature. No one likes the work involved with fall clean up but even though the snow comes and covers it in a beautiful blanket of white it is still there and will be there when the snow melts.

I think we do this in regards to our character. We think we can ignore sin, cover it up, pretend it's not there, but sooner or later the unveiling will come and the mess is still there. Whether it's pride, greed, gossip, pick your poison, it must be dealt with. These things don't just go away on their own. 

Just like spring is a season of new life and rebirth, I believe that God is longing to breath new life into each one of us, to make us new creatures. We must leave our old ways and sinful nature in the dirt and rise to the fullness of life that He created us for. 

I am at a place in my life where I know that I just don't have time for the things that don't please and glorify God. I've already wasted too much of my life on things that do not matter in the light of eternity. I am trusting my Maker's hands as He molds and shapes me. As He reveals things in my heart that have no place there I am committed to dealing with whatever it is and not justifying or ignoring my sin.

God has called each and every one of us to such amazing things that we can't even comprehend and I am ready to yield to His plans and throw mine in the fire. 
 
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."        Jeremiah 29:11-12

It is definitely time to clean ourselves up, rake up the dead leaves, if you will, start a big fire and throw the decay away. Make room for new life to grow and blossom and see what God can do through a yielded life.

 

Scraps

I have a 14 month old - she is such a joy, but like all small children (and large) she can make quite a mess! Especially at meal times. Last night I was sitting at the table eating dinner with the 3 kids while daddy was working late. Our faithful dog, Lucy, was strategically placed right under the baby's chair, smart dog. As Jenna would do her best to get food in her mouth, inevitably food would drop to the floor where Lucy was ready to save me the trouble of cleaning the floor later. Jenna had her own food but every once in awhile she would let me know she wanted what was on my plate, even though it was the same thing, but of course I gave it to her, without hesitation.

It was then that God spoke to my heart. For far too long I have been begging for scraps under my daddy's table instead of pulling up a chair and feasting on all that He has prepared for me. Just as I freely give to my daughter, how much more does my Daddy freely give to me?

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5

God has prepared a table for us. It is ready. The supper bell has rung. Yet we, the children of the Most High God, so often come running to the table and then promptly sit on the floor and beg and hope that God will throw a scrap our way. But the truth is He beckons us to come and dine with Him. To sit with Him, partake with Him and have our fill.

John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came so that we would have life MORE abundantly! This echos in my spirit daily. In each moment am I grabbing a hold of the abundant life? To dine on the fruit of God - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. To savor the meat of His word. To satisfy my thirst with His living water. This is the abundant life. And to receive it there is no begging required. 

God has called us worthy to sit at the table with Him. Regardless of what we're wearing, what baggage we're carrying or what scars we bear, He says, come, sit, partake. And when you ask, believe that you have received! 



"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

My daughter knew that I would share my food with her (provided that it was acceptable and good for her), she didn't question and wonder if I would withhold her request. We should have the same mindset. Ask and believe.

I challenge you, I challenge myself, don't settle for scraps. Our God is a big God! There is so much more for us! We can't even begin to imagine how much more God has for us. But as long as we think we must sit on the floor and beg we will never be able to wrap our brains and hearts around the unmerited goodness of our Father. 

So are you hungry? Pull up a chair, the table is set, the feast is prepared, all that's missing is you.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19