The Twelve Days of Purpose
For a Purposeful Christmas
- Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power...
So Step 2 is the perfect step to follow the first one: Come to believe that a Power (and our Power has a name: JESUS CHRIST) greater than ourselves can/will restore us to sanity. Hmm, what is sanity anyway? :)
If we were to play theological hopscotch we would discover God’s purpose in all He did and said. All of His works are characterized by faithfulness to His promises and covenant and who are they for? Romans 8:28 tells us who they are for: “For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
How many of us have come to Jesus utterly broken, sick and tired of being sick and tired? Maybe you didn’t come that way, but I remember exactly when and how I came to Him and over the years He has proven over and over again that He is the only one who can make sense of my brokenness (Phil 2:13: "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.")
Let’s talk about “come to believe.” Whew, this definitely takes some training – and training takes showing up. I remember the perception I had of Him up there on His throne playing Monopoly with my life. I mean, I believed that there was definitely a Power greater than myself; I just had a warped perception of His authority and little understanding of the love He has for me, and for you.
But how do we submit to the reality of a Power greater than ourselves? Well, as I said, showing up each morning to read a few verses from His Love Letters to us, a few minutes to talk with Him, not at Him, sharing what you’re thankful for, confessing where you are falling short; seeking Him for help for yourself as well as for others. If we continue to meet with Him, we will get over ourselves while learning to laugh at ourselves, and to love ourselves.
This takes only a little leap of faith; what have you got to lose that you haven’t lost already? Faith the size of a mustard seed is barely a grain of pepper, but, my Coffee Hour friend, Jesus used this analogy Himself not just to encourage us with the truth that it only takes a little faith to make this leap, but also to admonish us to have pure faith; don’t take a little from this religion, some from the New Age movement, some from those who pray to angels. Keep it to what has been proven over and over again: the truths found in the Bible. And, please, don’t take my word for it; invite Him to bring His Word to life in you!
Let’s get back to that “sanity” thing. Sanity means letting go of our control over others, circumstances and our own compulsive behavior. Sanity requires us to stay in our lane, and in our car! Remember the step talks about your own sanity!
To maintain sanity during this season, check your motives, why you do what you do for whom you do it? Remember my Christmas tree story? Well, I did decorate my house for the season, and then learned that none of our kids will be coming over and wondered: why in the heck did I go through all that work? The truth is, I like our home decorated for the holidays. I’d like it more if others came to experience it as well! :)
Now Step 3: Make a decision to turn our lives and will over to the care of God – as we understand Him. Proverbs 3:6 says “In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Oh, how I know that this is so much easier said than done!
I’ll let you go and we’ll pick up here tomorrow morning, Christmas Eve.
Purposing to abide in Him,
Evinda
P.S.
Two more weeks and we will be back on the air with our Blog Talk Radio
show, How to Love Who You Love! In the meantime, download some of our
previous shows. www.blogtalkradio.com/Chicklit-Power 
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