Corona Devo 3032

There is nothing more that I could want in this life, Lord. We are imperfect, but we are living for You. Please show us how to strive less and thrive more in You today. Amen.

I am a "list" person, and maybe you are too. It feels pretty good to "check off" a completed task, and often this is what brings my sense of worth during a day, and in life. Accomplishments (physical or spiritual) are awesome, and a body in motion for the Lord can be a powerful force. We want to do so much to make a difference, and so we often strive to do so much.

But there are moments...special moments...unlisted moments when the striving falls away, and instead, it becomes undeniable that we are thriving in Christ.

I seek to do much in God's name, maybe you do too, but sometimes (often), the striving steals the thriving. We get too caught up in the making-it-happen and the getting-the-preparation-done, that the love/blessing/joy of what we are striving for...is lost.

We forfeit the thriving because of our striving, even though our intentions are good.

I don't want to do that again today.

Let's stop doing that today.

Let's thrive in Christ today and for Christ today.

He certainly has plans for us to enter into today, but not at the cost of our (and those around us) joy and well-being. The Lord desires for us to seek Him and serve Him and thrive.

If all that we are doing lately is striving, then let's regroup (in Christ).

Jesus sent the disciples out to share His truth and hope with the world (a huge assignment that He gives to us today as well), but He was specific in telling them not to micromanage the details of preparation, provision, packing, or housing.

Fill-up with Christ and He will fuel our spirit and steps.

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

 

(9) “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— (10) no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 

(11) Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. (12) As you enter the home, give it your greeting. (13) If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 

(14) If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.   ~Matthew 10:7-14

Let's thrive today in Christ, instead of strive.

~~~

It's not that we don't know what it feels like to thrive in the Lord.  We have felt it.  The fullness of knowing that we are in His will is a swelling of our spirit and a spiritual embrace to our heart.  

We know when we are thriving in the Lord: there is a lightness (not a burden), and a joy in our offering. 

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.  Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.  (7) Then I said, “Look, I have come.  As is written about me in the Scriptures: (8) I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”  ~Psalm 40:6-8

The holiday season brings countless invitations and events and we try to fill our calendar and our days with meaningful ones, but as they multiply, the striving increases and thriving gets suffocated at times. 

We are sorry, Lord.

But in certain moments, smiles, hugs, silent tears...the thriving was there.  We are grateful, Lord.  

Throwing a Christmas party for nursing homes residents and knowing that they felt loved and valued...the thriving in Christ was there.  

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  ~Matthew 25:40

Filling a church pew with family and friends for a holiday service and worshiping together: the thriving in Christ was there.    

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (25) not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  ~Hebrews 10:24-25

Hosting a young adult Bible study and meal for our kids and their friends (over thirty of them!)...the thriving in Christ was there.   

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (33) With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all...  ~Acts 4:32-33

You might be tempted to think that I provide these examples in pride, but I do not, for my striving was also there, (but the outcomes were all Christ).

My lost temper and scorching words. My frenzied hurry and worry of getting-things-done at the cost of my family. The striving instead of thriving happens far too often in my heart and in my house, and it's me, it is no one else. I'm sorry, Lord.

But God gives us the peace/fullness/awareness/and gratitude of thriving in Him so that we can cease our striving and commune with Him more often.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

There is nothing more that I could want in this life, Lord. We are imperfect, but we are living for You. Please show us how to strive less and thrive more in You today. Amen.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com