The Call to Live
Like most people in the world, I want to live a life free from worry about provision. I want to dwell securely in the state of my being each day, without worrying about what I must do—and do well—to receive anything from anyone. My desires don’t stem from a lack of willpower or motivation. They have been planted in my heart by God, my father, who loves me and wants me to live a life of fullness in Him, where worth isn’t tied to performance.
The more I walk with Jesus, the more I desire what he desires for me and those around me. I’ve never wanted to work full-time. Rather, I am so hopeful for the opportunity to become a business owner and spend my days writing, creating, and mothering children—all of which Jesus has purposed me to do.
Though I’ve recently began to embrace my calling and walk in it fully, I recall a time when I tried my hardest to obtain what was already mine. In God’s hands, anything is possible, but several years ago, I found it served me to do things my way. I didn’t examine the fruit of my labor—disappointment over failed relationships, losing myself in trying to be considered a certain type of girl, overthinking every single decision just to avoid making one altogether—because not doing so meant I could keep walking through life with the fuel of my own might and determination.
Surrendering to Christ seemed too good to be true. That he desired to save me from myself and walk with me through everything sounded like a mere fairytale. After much trial and error, I was sure there was no “right” way to life, only a number of ways that lead to a mysterious destiny, but I am glad to write I was wrong.
For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Romans 7:5-6
There is only one way to life that really constitutes living—Jesus. Outside of him, there is no life, only reaching for more and failing to see your reaching is useless. When you aren’t in relationship with God and don’t know his Son, it may seem well to strive for a greater good—to try living for something perceived as good—but, and I write this as the Holy Spirit prompts me to, the greatest good is Christ, who has died, risen, and made you perfect in doing so (Heb. 10:14).
Life happens when you realize the world’s lies hold no promise of it. Your eyes were created to witness God’s outpour of love on you everyday, and your ears were created for you to hear all about it. His call to life is wrapped up in the gift that is Jesus Christ. There is no need to reach for something—or someone—that’s already drawn near to you.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:4-8 ESV
Jesus knocks on the doors of our hearts, hope and peace in hand, grace and truth around his neck. Life begins here, at the end of the world’s greater and the beginning of God’s best.