STAYING IN THE GAME

When I have an unpleasant experience while trying to minister to people.

When I am the object of unfair, unjust and unfounded criticism.

When my best efforts to reach out to someone in need is met with rebuke.

What keeps me in the game?

The God who fills the entire universe-wants to be intimate with me. He planned for me from the beginning-has a plan for my ongoing existence. A pretty good trade.

I view the Gospel of Jesus as an invitation to greatness.

It is not an invitation to debase, hate or demean myself.

It is an invitation to be, as a disciple, a co-conspirator with an eternal God, as I accept and respond to His loving invitation to Trust Christ.

As I become more intimate with Him, in this interactive relationship, my desire to sin diminishes as sin itself becomes less and less interesting.

Living a life where readiness to holiness is more appealing.

Seeing my relationship with Him as one that goes beyond the borders of, but certainly includes, forgiveness of sins. Yet, if all I know of Jesus is He has died for my sins, I don’t know Him.

If all I know of God is that He has forgiven me, I don’t know God.

He forgave me to introduce me into the richness of His purposes for me.

His purpose now in a life that will never end.

This is the With-God life.

This universe we live in is itself a manifestation of the greatness of the Word and Voice of God. In it’s vastness and wonders we hear God speaking and see His handiwork and ongoing creativity. If we are to believe what His first followers thought of Him, He is the One holding it all together even now.

Colossians 1:13-20 and Hebrews 1:1-4. They understood Him to be the One in whom all wisdom and all the treasures of knowledge resides.

The Trinity, holding everything together and conspiratorial in their intent.
The ultimate reality about this universe you live in is the Trinity.

Want to know what is at the center of this universe?

God and this lovely community of Divine Persons.

Enjoying and sharing together the goodness they have.

The members of the Trinity have been there forever and will be there forever enjoying themselves and granting us the privilege of sharing their kind of life and the power to be a co-conspirator of His, overcoming the kingdoms of this world…the evil in this world. You are very much part of this. Then together, as a community of loving persons immersed in His ongoing goodness, we are prepared to march into the evil armed with His goodness.

That’s what keeps me going, keeps me in the game as I know He has been given say over everything and is going to be with me every step of the way until the job is done.