Come Up Higher

They say life begins at 40.
Well, mine began years before that when I found Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. A gift, a marvelous gift. And He turned my life upside down. Today nobody, it seems, wants to talk about Him. Talk about a generic god, yes, but when it concerns Jesus Christ all different kinds of reactions are seen, many of which are hostile. Some simply a mumbling, "Yeah, yeah". I certainly can understand that. I had my own misconceptions before. If I were to live life PRIMARILY just to enjoy and have fun then my attitude would be the same. It was amazing when I first came to know what living and following Christ meant because the call's charge was so opposite to what I believed in. I found out that the bible declares in so many ways, for example, that life is not about the do's and don'ts and doing good works but rather a giving up, a complete surrender of one's life to God's purposes. Imagine that. That means I was or am not called to be happy but to seek God and know Him. Happiness is just a by-product. It is not to be pursued. I remember very well the words, "Seek and you shall find." In finding Him by giving up the right to my life I found abounding joy. Ah, yes, it did hurt to break old habits, to allow Him to change me. It is called dying to self. A hard price? Considering the confusion, fears, torments of sin, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness exchanged for forgiveness, love, peace and joy the price is nothing. Such joy indeed! And then there is this other thing about success. That I was called not to be successful but to be obedient to Christ. 'Twas hard to understand at first because I fashioned Him to be somebody who loves me (which is true) and who would want me to pursue success. I got it wrong. God wants to be pursued instead. With all my heart, soul and strenght. I wondered how could that be possible but, looking back, by His grace He has done what He promised to do. No, the inworking is not finished yet but one thing I can say with certainty: He is good! He is faithful!

Well, it's Christmas. That's the reason I have been thinking about Jesus who loves me and died for me to take my sins away. Through the years I have come to love Him, too.

I thank Him that I have not missed living life without Him. A bountifully rich privilege knowing it is undeserved.

Ah, Christmas. Right now, I wonder who out there is receiving the free gift that sets man free. I heard it said that when just one lost sheep is found the whole of heaven rejoices. Awesome.