August 5, 2007
Challenging the Ordinary
Have you ever wondered what disappoints God the most?
Everyone knows that most of the time God could not be pleased with the
way the people he loves treat one another. You don’t have to be a
“tree-hugger” to notice that we could probably do a much better job of
caring for the world God created. And far too many times we neglect
opportunities to share the love of Christ with other people who are far
from God.
Still when I think about what would disappoint me the most
when it comes to my children, I have to think that what grieves God’s
heart more than anything else is when we settle for less than what God
wants for us. Jesus told his disciples, “I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
“Oh! My life is full, alright,” you may be saying. “In fact,
I wish it wasn’t quite so full.” But Jesus wasn’t calling the disciples
to have a calendar crammed with appointments. Jesus wanted his followers
to know complete joy. Three different times on his final evening with
them Jesus tells them—and prays—for their lives to be full of joy. “I
have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that
your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). “Until now you have not asked
for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may
be complete” (John 16:24). “But now I am coming to you, and I speak
these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in
themselves” (John 17:13).
Where does this extraordinary joy come from? That is the
question we are going to be exploring for the next few weeks as we
“Challenge the Ordinary.” I hope you will come with a spirit of
expectation as we discover what it means to live in the spectacular life
God has planned for us.
There is more to life than most of the world even suspects.
That is the reason so many people who have captured success in the
estimation of the world continue to live such hopeless and tragic lives.
Let’s consider how being extraordinary worshippers, teachers, servants,
friends, and lovers can fill our lives with the joy Jesus prayed we
would know.
Ashley