I have been rightly branded as a pessimist. My struggles are such that I must continue to press into joy, to continue over and over, shaking off the grave clothes, and step into the sunshine. I need to spontaneously sing once in a while, and pick flowers. I know this.
For there’s an abundance in the kingdom of our Father. The currency of that place is joy (and love). The spiritual economy of heaven is solely based a free and lavish grace that is poured on criminals like me. It’s outrageous! And most of us do know it– far, far too well.
So fantastical are our perceptions of this awesome grace, that we can’t believe it is true. It’s easy to doubt—to add things, make adjustments to this completely radical faith. But as sick people we defy it all, and will often neuter the strong promises of God, making those verses eunuchs–without any power or vitality. I have done this repeatedly.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
20″ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Ephesians 3:19-20, NLT
Knowing God’s love for you will totally change your life. The promises in the Bible are additionally enhanced by the Spirit’s active presence. When he enters your life, its like finding a 220 volt electrical line just when you have stepped out the shower. You will be energized! Watch the progression of thought in the very next verse. It builds and broadens on this “grace thought.”
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT
As I kid, I remember one year we hit the zucchini jackpot. They seemed to ripen all at once. We canned and froze, but just couldn’t handle this harvest. We gave away so much, until I resorted to putting full boxes in people’s cars– while they were in the store shopping! (Captain Zucchini strikes again!)
God is like that, we just would like our bucket filled and he fills up a dozen wheelbarrows for us. We are super-abundantly, mammothly overwhelmed and “zucchinied-blasted” by forgiveness and grace. This is just how things work in our Father’s Kingdom.
Related articles
- Devotional 04.11.2013 (thelifeofastrangercalledme.wordpress.com)
- What is saving grace? (altruistico.wordpress.com)
- Ephesians 3:1-13 (vesselsofclay.org)
- Zucchini Noodles (izzylifestyle.wordpress.com)
- Low Carb Zucchini Chips (unspokencures.com)
Broken Believers 