Recognize that effecting needed changes can take time. But also realize the time to make those changes is now. Putting off trying to take steps to being a happier and better person can be a fatal mistake. A grave error occurs when we believe that we can wait until later to start living the abundant life in Christ, that perhaps when the kids are older or maybe when we’ve retired, we will begin to enjoy life. Jesus reminded us in John 10:10 that He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. The Lord continually demonstrated this by taking the time to delight in the company of those around Him. The invitation is from the Lord Himself. He invites us to begin immediately taking an active role in living. No matter what we may have been through, the offer still stands.
Jesus Christ leads us to a level of understanding that transcends what is before us and brings us to a conclusion that comes by faith. Looking beyond the circumstances before us, we begin to focus upon Christ and His power. Matthew 17:20 says that Jesus referred to this as the sort of faith that can move mountains. He also pointed out that the faith needed to move mountains sometimes comes in a small package. Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed can give us the power to move aside those obstacles that stand in the way of achieving what God has in store for us.
The disciples seemed to sometimes forget that they were in the presence of the Son of God. They had seen Him make blind eyes see and lame legs walk. Why would they think that feeding five thousand people would be impossible for the Lord? We too struggle when faced with what appears to be an unattainable situation. If we are not careful we begin to panic and see things in an extremely negative way. We start to imagine worst-case scenarios about what might or might not happen. This kind of thinking is detrimental to our happiness and peace of mind.
Why burden ourselves fretting over things that may never happen? When our focus is on the Lord we will be witnesses to Him doing things in our lives that exceed our greatest expectations. By faith we give to Christ what we have, even just a few loaves and fishes, and He can take it and do the impossible.
Imagine how our fears can be turned to joy when we begin to realize that in Christ somehow everything is going to be all right. The Lord is with us and all who earnestly seek Him will go away filled. Why can we not count ourselves as being among those who sat down and feasted with Jesus? Why not stop worrying about what we don’t have and start being thankful for what the Lord has given us? The Lord has done great things in the past; why would we believe the present crisis would be any different?
Stop worrying; take a break from anxiety and cares, even if it’s only for a short while. Spend some time in fellowship with Jesus. Start enjoying life again.
(From, "The Invitation: Embracing a Happier Life," by Dan Birchfield, copyright, 2009)
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