We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. –I Thessalonians 1:3
The word “inspired” has a meaning that I wonder if people fully grasp. To be inspired means to be motivated by a force which has divine origin. Being inspired is a touch from the Holy Spirit of God. That divine touch has the power to move us forward in ways that we could not have achieved on our own power. In I Thessalonians Paul the Apostle commended the believers because their faith, labor, love, and endurance were inspired by their sure hope that Jesus Christ was with them.
I wonder how often we accomplish our dreams, hopes, and goals on our own strength and power. Countless people plunge forward doing what they desire to do with little thought as to whether or not the Lord is in it or leading them. For the follower of Jesus Christ, this should never be the case. All that we do, desire, or seek to accomplish is best done if inspired through faith in the Lord. Perhaps you are thinking, “Are you saying that all I do as a follower of Christ ought to be inspired by Him?” The answer is yes; that is exactly what I am saying. From the moment we rise in the morning, we can be inspired by Christ to accomplish what He has in store for us that day. When our hearts are open daily to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, then the Lord will lead us to where we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to be doing.
What about the process of becoming inspired? Is this only for those who are “super spiritual?” The answer is no; being inspired by the Lord is for all followers of Jesus Christ. When we mark out time each day to spend time alone with God, then the result will be inspiration. I have referred to this process many times that has come about from a number of circumstances: I spent time with the Lord one morning in prayer and was wonderfully inspired. I went for a long hike through the woods and while there was inspired by the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. I spent time reading the Word, reflecting on a Biblical truth, listening to a sermon, and being encouraged by a friend. In each case I was inspired, and that inspiration had at its core faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Inspiration that comes from faith in Christ is available to all believers every day. Be open, listening for the Lord’s voice, reach out in love, help and encourage others, and be faithful and obedient. In all of these we will be continually inspired by Christ. And we will move forward to heights of faith, depths of grace, and floods of joy we would not have believed possible.
Thank the Lord today for the inspiration that comes through Him.
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