Did you step into the new year with a new planner and a new plan to make this the best year ever?

The success experts encourage us to set goals, to map our days, our work, even our relationships.

As you penned those good intentions into your life planner have you set holiness as one of your goals?

What?

Who in this day and age, talks about being holy, let alone list it as a life-goal?

That’s a good question.

Most of us would agree God calls us to holy living, but really, making that a penned-on-paper life-goal… whom among us is that purposeful?

As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”   

1 Peter 1:14-16 from The Message

I love how Peter describes the life shaped by God’s life….”energetic and blazing with holiness.”

I get the energy part.  I am a pretty energetic gal, but can you imagine someone seeing you as blazing with holiness? Picture that in your mind.

For most of us… trying to live a life that’s pleasing to God and a blessing to others doesn’t seem particularly blazing nor energetic and most of us don’t have our GPS set to reach holiness.

I’ve been living in this season of in between.  Most days I feel like I’m doing well if I can tread water.  With my physical life in storage in another state, my virtual life here is challenging to say the least.  This season has been endless… it’s tiresome, wearisome, lonely, and I’m pretty sure I’ve lost my sparkle along the way.  Still… I am doing my best to live with purpose, to bless and inspire others, and glorify God with my hands and my words.   In the midst I really haven’t given much thought to living a holy life.   I’m just trying to lift one foot at a time and place it in front of the other, hopefully listening to God, and being obedient to watch and see what He will do…. though a little bit impatiently.

Is there anything about this that could be considered to be a life “blazing with holiness?”  I don’t think so.

However, I like to think that I am finally at that place where I want what he wants for me, more than what I want for me.   I think.

This trust thing… I thought I was getting it down.  I guess that’s when God sets the bar a little higher.  There’s no coasting in God’s world.  Sure, He’ll give us times of rest and restoration.  But, once we briefly catch our breath, we’re off running the race towards the prize. 

I want the following words to be mine….

I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I am charging on to gain anything and everything the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me—and nothing will stand in my way because He has grabbed me and won’t let me go.

Philippians 3:12 from The Voice

Have you put “charging on to gain anything and everything the Lord has in store for me” on your list of daily goals in that planner?

I didn’t think so.  It wasn’t on my list either.

I feel a bit shaky in that department right now.  I can’t even say that “I am charging on.”  That sort of seems like “energetic and blazing with holiness.” Impossible.  Right now I only have enough energy to  put one foot in front of the other, sometimes standing between footsteps.

God knows this.

In spite of us… God wants us to be all in… so He pursues us…

—and nothing will stand in my way
because He has grabbed me and won’t let me go.

I don’t know about you…but I really like knowing that nothing stands in my way of the pursuit.  Not even me. Sure…the road may have hills and valleys….but nothing is in my way when it comes to gaining everything Jesus has in store for me. Nothing. Because….

He has grabbed me and won’t let me go. 

I am His and He is mine.

It’s the ultimate trust.

I don’t have to test him to see if He is worthy of my trust.

Because He is.

And the best part….

He won’t let me go!

He won’t let YOU go!!

I don’t know what you are facing…what seems larger than life….the thing that keeps you awake at night.

If you really want to gain anything and everything Jesus has in store for you….nothing will stand in your way….nothing….because the God of the universe has grabbed hold of you and he. will. not. let. you. go!! 

Why don’t you take a second look at that planner…

Maybe it would be good to make a few adjustments to those daily goals and life goals.

Find some spaces to add in 1 Peter 1:14-16 and Philippians 3:12.  Make it a goal to live life God’s way… energetic and blazing with holiness.

God’s already got a hold of you…. so don’t resist.  Instead grab hold of Him and live life to the fullest.

Choosing to trust Him that much…. it’s a kind of good, scary, exciting, feeling. Yes?

If you’re a little unsure of yourself… don’t worry about that.

Instead…. make this your banner….

He will not let me go!!

It’s Joy Day!

The day when we look back over our past week and count.

Count the good and the not-so-good.   Just seven.

And give thanks for it.  All of it.

I’ll start…

I’m grateful God for…

1. grabbing hold of me and not letting go!
2. warmer than normal temperatures and the positive impact they will have on our heat bill.
3. your hand on Tim when he was sooo very sick.
4. new possibilities to see and achieve…. beyond our wildest imaginations.
5. my relentless cough and my very patient husband.
6. being able to easily slip into some previously too-snug slacks.
7. sunshine today… and the beautiful sunset. I’d almost forgotten what blue skies looked like.

Now it’s your turn!

Scroll down to the “Share your Extraordinary Thoughts” box below and tap in your ‘seven.’ When you do, you’ll find the corners of your mouth turn up and the joy meter in your spirit rise.

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

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