Invitation
Romans 4:19-25
Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
On the Saturday before Easter I find myself not looking back at the cross of Good Friday but, my thoughts are pulled forward to the celebration of the empty tomb that waits on Sunday morning. Yes, the cross is where His precious blood flowed and, I was made right in His death. “It is finished.” The cross on Friday sets my mind at ease that my debt is paid. However it is the emptiness of the tomb that inspires me to believe for more than simply being in the clear. It dares me to believe for the impossible.
Jesus paid this price and, that seems a waist to me if I only spend my life looking at all I have done and will do wrong. Especially if I focus only on how much I need His redeeming love every day but, never look forward to go after what God's inviting me to do with the new life. This requires that I take my eyes off of my sin and all it cost. In order to look, with a grateful heart, to a living God for what He's saying is possible. This invitation is to a life lived not in fear of sin but, rather with excitement. About a life with a God who has a plan for me. Who wants me to be in His story and, it’s far bigger than what I could've ever imagined for myself. What I would have called myself unqualified for or, would say that my sin had disqualified me to do. God calls me overqualified for because of Jesus.
Do you allow yourself to dream big?
Have you ever asked God what His dreams for your life are?
Jesus, Thank you for the cross .
Thank you God for the empty tomb.
Holy Spirit, open our eyes to what both of these mean.
Amen