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Where is that fire we had on the 1st?
We start the year with lofty expectations. We determine things we think will be good for us, and rightly so; things that will take us to another level of living. But time goes by and we're hit with reality again. We find it hard to go up to another level when we remember that we are still doing the same things we did last year.
Maybe one of the problems is that we don't live what we are. Ephesians 2:6 tells us we are on a higher level. Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He has raised us up. Positionally we are on a higher level, but we don't necessarily practice it. He has raised us up, He has brought us closer to him than anyone else could be in any other time. Even John the Baptist was only the "friend of the Bride Groom", but He has made us his bride. He has made us sit together in heavenly places. Oh that we could enjoy the heavenly places more fully! Above all this we see "in Christ Jesus". Oh the greatness of what we have "in Christ".
May this be our lasting light this year. This light is one that can last longer because it is not by our own power, but by His. He has done it all, it is for us to enjoy and live in the good of what he has made us. May this go with us and light our gloomy days, "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
May these first days of the year be like the picture. The sun, dispelling the past darkness, promisses a day of bright light. May these days be the sign of renewed fire in our Christian life, the beginning of a day of spiritual brightness in our lives.
Credit for this photo goes to Joshua Peña.
Joshua- kuddos to a great picture. I love the vibrant colors. Reminds me of what a "glorious day that will be!"
ReplyDeleteJoel- The picture really gives a visual to the fiery colors/picture that reminds us of what our lives should be like. It is so true that we tend to reevaluate our lives every year and think of how things should be within us and then we fall into reality and all those resolutions and expectations fall away. Thank you for the reminder on how we should seek to live our lives on higher ground serving the One who died for us. It makes me think of my all time favorite quote by C.T. Studd "If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." This is applicable in not only our lives overall, but in our daily lives and how we live. Thank you for the reminder and the post.
I think my favourite part of this post is the title. Lol. Actually, I think the thoughts give the picture a lot more meaning.
ReplyDeleteJoel, that verse Eph2:6 has made a great impression on me lately. If we also see the verses on 5:2 and 1:6 with 2:6, we'll have a wonderful thought on which to meditate on. Christ's sacrifice was for a sweet-smelling savour to God (5:2), He has made us accepted in the Beloved (1:6), and He made us sit in the "heavenlies" with Christ Jesus (2:6). God did not only forgive us...he justified us, we have been made acceptable in the Beloved! The measure of His acceptance of Christ's sacrifice is the measure of our acceptance.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, "Oh that we could enjoy the heavenly places more fully!"