Challenged

Well, I feel like God is asking for surrender from me (us) this year. Last year, I look back and see that God worked in some awesome ways, but I also feel like I missed out on His awesomeness. I could have prayed for more miracles in the lives of the students we minister to. I could have invested more time. I could have prayed for patience in our marriage. etc. etc.

Now, I know that "works" are not what give us favor with God. I struggle with this for sure...which can send me into extremes. I can become extremely lazy and not do any works...which is disobedience. I can also become extremely busy and do a lot of good things that aren't necessarily God things. I'm still working on a balance here... ha, there I go again, trying to work. The truth is, I need to repent and ask for God's grace in my life to surrender to him and live a sacrificial life. Afterall, that is what He calls us to do. All of us...in some way or another.

Francis Chan's book Crazy Love has really challenged me for this new year. I love this next quote:

"A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort."

Ouch...that one hurts. This year, I'm asking Jesus to change my character...right down to my core. I'm selfish and tend to think this world revolves around little ole me. What heart ache that causes and what opportunities I miss with such thinking and living!

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks, it will be opened." Matt 7:7-8