With the start of the new year the question always comes up, "Do you have a New Year's resolution?" Ashamedly I admit that I'm never good at making them. I regret that the free spirit inside of me likes to fly by the seat of my pants too often to be tethered down by promises I most likely won't keep. Having said that I will say that I have adopted a new mantra. Resolutions are too binding but mantras I find to be inspiring; much more liberating. :-) I recently read something penned by the late Saint Irenaeus, "The glory of God is man, fully alive." I love that! That is my charge for this new year and for many years to come. I want to truly understand and walk in what it means to live that abundant life God promises me. Abundance is not limited to mere prosperity. No, I believe it goes far beyond that. The Apostle Paul understood that when he penned these words while in a dank, stark prison: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do all things thru Him who is my strength.." (Phil 4:12-13)
Wow! What a declaration of the heart. It springs from a place of deep abiding, that no matter the difficulty, his heart will yet boast in Christ His Savior. That reminds me of King David when he penned the words, "I will keep the Lord ever before me. Because He is at my right side I will not be shaken." What a great cloud of witnesses we have that surround us and spur us on to the same deep level of faith, commitment, fortitude and love for our great God.
It truly is a great blessing to be called His child. My prayer is for God to help me wrap my mind around that truth. The impact I would have on life and those around me would be astounding if I were to walk and minister in the powerful reality that I am Christ's beloved and He is mine! That is living life to the fullest! That is indeed the promise God has for me and there in lies the "abundance" He has for me. It's not just in material things but moreover it is the assurance that when I seek Him He WILL be found. My God is not far but near...He is as close as my right hand...just as David said. With that comes the incredible truth that the Kingdom of God... all His power is also as close as my right hand. When I am walking in a place of completely abiding in HIm... His desires become my desires. All that I am shifts into perfect alignment with His purposes for me. That's when I know the Kingdom reality is at hand. That is life abundant! I am His and He is mine!
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God. Born of His Spirit. Washed in His blood. This is my story! This is my song! Praising my Jesus all the day long. This is my story. This is my song praising my Savior...all the day long!" That is being fully alive! Precious Lord, let it be in me!
