Adventure is out there!

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"Hey, I don't bite, you and me, we're in a club now"

(Ellie, Pixar's UP)

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Welcome to 2020! I trust that you have had a blessed and peaceful start to the new year. Firstly, thank you for coming back! It's great to have you here and as we journey through the year together, I hope that you are blessed but also challenged by the words that God has laid on my heart to share. As we go forward, I ask for your guidance and feedback - it would be great to hear from you and see if there is anything I can do to help with your experience as we yearn more for the Lord. Aspirational Living is something of a living, breathing blog which I hope engages you and encourages you to put your faith into action. Please feel free to contact me through signing up with your e-mail or sending me a message through the Facebook page.

So...this is the week that many of us return back to realities of life; school, college, work, retirement. Wherever you find yourself, it is the everyday ordinary lives that we return to. Only this week is different, we've just brought in a new year, we've probably just eaten far too much, but most importantly, we've just had the blessings that come from our yearly celebration of Christ's birth. For many of us, we feel different. A new year, a new me. Maybe you have a new job, maybe you have a new house, maybe, even you have a new car or maybe its just a new resolution. Whatever it is, we feel different. We feel positive and optimistic about the year ahead but we're only 5 days in and already had a few bumps in the road. I wonder, how long will it take for your life to return to the regular rhythms of before? But you see, we need to harness the change we feel, and use it to live our lives for Christ. I'm sure that you are aware how easy it is to be a Christian at Christmas, but then how hard it is the rest of the year. So this week will be different.

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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

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In Jeremiah, we can take comfort from the hope we find in the security of these words. Jeremiah was a messenger of God's judgement on Israel and the nations, but also God's messenger of hope for the future. This particular part of Jeremiah is the second part - the one of hope. At this point, Jeremiah was trying with all his might, to make the Israelite leaders realise the errors of there ways and seek forgiveness. So in the context of destruction and chaos, the Lord declares through Jeremiah, these now infamous words of hope. This was God beginning to reveal the extent of His love.

You see, it is not necessary for you to follow the law in the past, He is the One of redemptive love. This was made even clearer with the coming of Christ, and His death and resurrection. This is where the point is hammered home, deeds alone will not make you right with God. The only way to be reconciled with God is through the love of Jesus Christ. So for those of you out there who feel like being a Christian is about rules and regulations, what you can't do, all boring, no fun. This is not the case. You see, much like in Pixar's UP - adventure is out there. God gives us one rule to obey - love. No questions, no ifs, no buts. Just love. It's as simple as that. God wants you to live a full life, one of adventure, one of love. He doesn't want you to do it by yourself but with Him by your side. I don't know about you but that sounds amazing - going on an adventure with Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. This adventure is your everyday life, He calls us to be beacons as we go along the path. Drawing others to follow Him and join the adventure.

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In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

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In Matthew, we see again a call to be light to the people around. On our way, whilst we are travelling with Jesus, He asks us to be bearers of light where we are. Much like Ellie in UP. We need to show people we don't bite and invite them to be a part of Christ's family. Our family. So maybe this week, be more Ellie and show Christ to those around you. Take the week as it comes and remember "Adventure is out there!"

I don't know what has gone on in your past but today I can assure you that nothing you have done disqualifies you from His love. He has equipped you for whatever lies before you. If you're struggling, ask him for strength to follow him. It's not an easy adventure to go on and the road is long but the reward is eternal. Long after the worries of this world are over, we will continue to enjoy the eternal reward in heaven.

Reflect today: What can you do this week to 'be more Ellie' and show Christ to those around you? How is your adventure with Christ going? Is He by your side or do you prefer Him to walk a few paces behind you?

Dear Lord,

The road is long but the reward is great. Please help me to remember that this week and going forward into the new year. In the moments when I get down with the weight of my worldly problems please remind me of the truth of your love. Please help me to walk this path for you and show me how best to be a light to your people in this world. Thank you for your love, I hope to show others glimpses of you in all I do.

Amen

*Music by Phil Laeger for reflection - based on Psalm 139*