Boundaries

Today is a great day! I woke up to my family singing Happy Birthday dad, breakfast, and hot coffee. We actually had a family breakfast at the table, which never happens, especially on a school day. Yep, today I turned the big 40! Pretty crazy. 40? 40? When you actually say 40, it makes it sound like I have moved into the next speed limit zone. Does that mean that the days go by faster? I am not entirely sure yet, but I will let you know how it goes.

We also had family devotions at breakfast. Tracy shared some great thoughts from 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Here are the powerful words that made me aware of His presence today.

Jesus is the Risen One who shines upon us always. We worship a living Diety, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Our relationship with Him is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as He invades more and more areas of our life. Do not fear change, for He is making us a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When we cling to old ways and sameness, we resist His work within us. He wants us to embrace all that He is doing in our life, finding our serenity in Him alone.

It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries that we build around our life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don't try to force-fit today into yesterday's mold. Instead, ask Him to open your eyes, so you can find all that He has prepared for you in this precious day of life.

As I move from one "speed limit zone" to the next, what boundaries do I find that I have created in my life? May I not resist, but embrace, what God has prepared for me today.

What boundaries have you created in your life?

What do I lack?

A wealthy young man asked Jesus, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus said, "Why do you question me about what's good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you." The man asked, "What in particular?"

Jesus said, "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself."

The young man said, "I've done all that. What do I lack?"

"If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me."

That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, he hung his head and he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go.

Matthew 19:16-22

As I read through this interesting dialogue this morning, at first I could not relate to it. I do not have alot of money. I do not have alot of material wealth. I began to dismiss it and thought I was off the hook.

But that four word hook, got me..."What do I lack?"

WHAT do i lack?

what DO i lack?

what do I lack?

what do i LACK?

What do I lack ? Wow, this guy had alot of guts to ask Jesus this question. He was basically giving Jesus permission to call him on anything in his life that was more important than his relationship to Jesus. And Jesus did! This young mans unwavering passion for his money and material things kicked any thought of a relationship with Jesus, to the curb.

When Jesus told him what he lacked, he hung his head and went away sad because he had great wealth.

We cannot love God with all of our hearts and yet keep other parts of our lives to ourselves. Loving him totally means using every parts of our lives in ways that please him.

Does anything come before God in your life?

Here are some things that may come before God in your life:

• pride and personal independence
• happiness at any cost
• desire for power
• desire for recognition
• pursuing personal wants
• deception is acceptable
• weak commitments

Personal question of the day:

What do I lack?