One Thing I Do

Do you find it easier to do things that you are passionate about? I can remember, as a child, reading my favourite books when I was supposed to be doing maths because I much preferred to read stories.

Paul was an apostle who went from being the strictest of Pharisees and a persecutor of Christians to being all out for Jesus, even if it cost his life, which it eventually did. What changed him? He was passionate about being a true Jew and keeping all the rules, and then, after he encountered Jesus, he gave his whole life to serving him. There was something about

Jesus he couldn’t resist.

I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. I don’t depend on my strength to accomplish this. However, I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.

(Philippians 3:12-14 tPt)

Wherever we are on our journey with the Lord, we need to ensure we are in step with Him and always moving with Him. We may have delightful memories of life-changing experiences with God or memories of failures we’d rather forget. Neither yesterday’s blessings nor previous failures discourage us from moving on to new vistas with Him. I need to live with a passion for Christ and keep moving forward in faith, trusting in His grace and knowing that He understands my heart. He will guide me along the path that he wants me to follow. Peter made all sorts of declarations of what he was prepared to do for Jesus, but despite having that love for Jesus, his weakness led him to deny Him before the crucifixion.

Jesus restored Him after His resurrection at that beautiful encounter on the shore of Galilee, where Peter was able to affirm His love for Jesus, and Jesus told him to feed His lambs and sheep. We thank God for past accomplishments, receive His grace for our weaknesses and failures, but reach forward towards what He has called us to in the future. He always calls us upward and onward to come with Him and changes us in the process.

How important is it for you to have a purposeful life? What gives meaning and purpose to your life? Why do you do what you do?

Spend time in the quiet, listening and drawing near to God. What is he saying to you about your life? Write down what comes to you.