March 8, 2010
“And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us” Ephesians 3:18-20 The Message
The God of another year …?
He sees all the broken parts of your life. He knows about all of your life-scars . He knows every irritating habit that you’ve developed .. hidden .. blamed on others .. escaped to .. and everything else that makes up your life. And still … God who is gracious and compassionate .. slow to anger .. and abounding in love and faithfulness wants your life to be filled with the fullness of Christ’s life within you. He wants your life .. your whole life .. to be planted and nourished in His love along with every Follower of Jesus. He really does! And for God to do this … He becomes a gardener .. easily overlooked .. taken for granted .. patiently and tenderly working within your life so that you will grow whole .. fruitful .. and fully alive in Christ. Don’t forget … one day is a thousand years .. so .. another year with this gardener digging and fertilizing your life is beyond your wildest imagination. The truth about God is: He likes you … not just loves you .. He likes you. He sees the stresses of your life … knows the weak areas .. and never sleeps in His care for you. (Ps. 121) How could He not like you? His Son makes His home in you .. going room by room through your life .. cleaning you up .. making you whole and holy in His sight! You don’t have to hold anything back … compare yourself to anyone else .. or try to find the strength to meet everyone’s expectations today. The gardener will be digging and fertilizing your life today so that His Spirit can grow deeply and gently within you. Can you hear Him whisper into your heart: Let’s give it another year … It only takes a moment …
“Then he told them a story: ‘A man had an apple tree planted in his front yard … The gardener said, “Let’s give it another year. I’ll dig around it and fertilize, and maybe it will produce next year; if it doesn’t, then chop it down.” Luke 13:8-9 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to JesusFollowers and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)
