Living Strong for Jesus
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10 NRSV
Do you ever find yourself yearning for more, but unable to find direction or focus?
Who am I? What am I supposed to be doing with this one precious life?
This may sound like a midlife crisis. For me, perhaps it was. Many of us come to a point when we ask ourselves these questions, especially as our roles and responsibilities shift through the seasons of life.
The pandemic made it harder on us. Our ability to authentically connect with each other was hindered. Pandemic aside, we tend to shoulder a lot more than we need to, all while worrying about what others think.
Doing, doing, doing. Maybe even doing lots of good things, yet losing focus on God’s best for this life He’s gifted us.
What do we do when we’re faced with these questions? Too often, we settle for the comfort of the status quo. But is that really where we’re meant to be? Is that a place of living strong for Jesus?
I don’t think so.
Our spiritual journey is affected by our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Our overall heath is affected by our relationships with God, others, and ourselves. All of this intricately woven together, inseparable.
For many years, my journey consisted of a lot of self-doubt and neglect. My health suffered and I turned inward. I yearned for more, but couldn’t find direction or focus. I didn’t know who I am as God created me.
And then the Great I Am got hold of me. He helped me see who I am as He created me. He saw the spark He planted within me which I had unconsciously buried by listening to the many voices of distraction.
Often, my own internal and unrelenting whispers.
My friends, God will take that which feels broken and create a beautiful mosaic, if we’ll allow His voice to be the one we focus on. He tells us He has plans for us, to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) and that He has prepared good works for us for the way He has made us (Ephesians 2:10).
This is living strong for Jesus.
Spiritual formation is a journey of transformation into a beautiful mosaic of your true-self, in whom Christ’s presence and love is reflected for the further transformation of the world. It is serving in love from the journey through which God has led us. It is our doing flowing from our being.
This is our why. To live strong for Jesus in a world that desperately needs us to do so.
We encourage you to join us on August 26, as we hear from Vicki Heath, the National Director of First Place for Health, as she shares with us more about understanding our why through living strong for Jesus. You can register online at LongsChapel.com/Events, or in the Gathering Space on Sundays, beginning August 6.
God, we thank You for how You have intricately created and uniquely gifted each of us to live strong into this world for Your plans and purposes. Help us to connect with You on a deeper level of understanding our why and our purposes which You have set before us. Grant us the Godly confidence we need to boldly step into the call You place in each of our lives. We pray this in the name of our Savior Jesus, Amen.
Women2Women is a ministry that encourages women to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ, while also exploring how God has uniquely created, gifted, and called each of us. We connect with women where they are in life’s journey, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, health and wellness, intergenerational fellowship, friendship, and mentoring. Events and retreats are targeted to the needs of women so we can grow deeper in our faith, develop our gifts and abilities, and establish long lasting friendships. For more information contact Laura Greer at 828.456.3993 Ext. 204 or Laura.Greer@LongsChapel.com, or Vickie Staib at 828.646.8819.
