Funny....I wake up on this New Year Day, and my suitcases are still packed full of all these clothes needing washed, dishes fill the sink, pantry is still empty, dust covers the shelves, kids are waking up hungry...and where’s my Starbucks and ready made breakfast feast? New Years massage and shopping spree???
I guess I always believed (hoped) there was a New Year’s Day Fairy who would sprinkle her fairy dust after the New Year’s Countdown and make everything perfectly dreamy and new on January 1st.
It’s dreamy to think of such things but our hope cannot rest in fantasy land. We spend so much time wishing for what we can’t have (realistic or not) we easily miss what we do have and can have.
So how do we do that? How do we live in the tension of our reality and our dream life? How do we feel blessed and not deceived?
We serve a Dreamy God who is able to do far more then we can think or imagine out of His amazing riches and grace. It doesn’t mean we have live in perfect circumstances, with perfect people having all we dream of.
Our greatest gift is Jesus. Our only hope is Jesus. Our contentment and joy can only be found in Him. He is our perfect Peace that transcends all understanding. His love covers all our sins and casts out every fear. His blood reconciles our relationships with others and to Him. Because He gave it all, I have it all.
The sting of death, death of dreams and desires, death in our physical bodies, is muted by the Cross.
So how is it done? How do we go from discontent to contentment, from pouting to praise, from whining to worshiping?
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."”
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:4-8 ESV
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:19-20 ESV
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:6, 18, 26-28, 31-32, 35, 37 ESV
The answer is keeping our hearts, minds and sights set on Christ our Lord. Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom if God!”
Happy Realistic January 1st♥️🎉🙌🏻 God loves you! Choose Christ. Choose hope.
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