Want a love story? How’s this: “‘How much do I love you? This much…’ And He stretched out His hands and died…”

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is [self] deception. Also v.15, 18, 24 and 27

Things go wrong. They have ever since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. We need to be prepared for when they go wrong for us. God works within the framework of our own making: a sin-riddled world. He may not protect us from injury, disease, and attack; instead, He asks us to trust Him with what is beyond this life. Do we?

In the hands of our loving heavenly Father, every event becomes an opportunity for us to learn trust and discipline, and to turn our eyes to the eternal. Every day, we are faced with our own mortality. The problem is that the enemy gets us to focus on our health, our security, and the longevity of our lives. Think about it: Why would we strive so hard to live in this world of pain, loss and heartache when we can go to be with our heavenly Father, our loved ones who have already gone on, and receive our glorified bodies that will last forever–without the sin nature!?

Our lives exist to bring glory to the Father and to Christ Jesus. Everything that happens to us can be a glory-giver. Are we willing to allow Him to use the failures, the accidents, and the unfortunate circumstances–as well as the good times–in our lives for His glory? No matter how we live or how we die, our success is in our faithfulness. If we really believe that He goes to prepare a place for us and that, when it is ready, He will come back for us, then we can focus on Him and on His plan for us today and not worry about tomorrow. We know that it’s not about heaven; it’s about Him–His will, His glory.

Would you give your life to testify to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The only way we’ll answer yes to this question is if we are in a continuous and intimate relationship with Him. I pray that you are.

Abba, dying to myself is the hardest thing I do, yet you call me to do it daily–even moment by moment. I want to act like You, Jesus, therefore I want to think like You. Please transform my mind and my thoughts. Help me to overcome my will and my “wants.” I can be pretty selfish…okay, a lot selfish! Keep renewing me, Abba. I need it badly. I need You! Amen.