I've spent some time in this season thinking about what in the world I'm doing with my life. I still don't know the answer -- BUT I do know this: Jesus is still for me and he's for you too! In fact, he never stopped being for us...even when we haven't been for him.
I think about the incredible amount of courage, boldness and faith it takes to tell somebody about the real truth of Jesus. About how the Holy Spirit is really just the power of God that was in Jesus transferred to you. Let that sentence sink in...you have the power of God in its fullness that was in Jesus on the inside of you. So yes, you can lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Yes, you can believe in faith for miracles to happen and see them happen. Yes, you can proclaim with boldness the vision of the Lord for someone else's life. The answer is now and always has been YES, because the promises of God are yes and amen.
As believers today, we've really moved away from using the power of God to transform lives. I don't think we intentionally decided one day that the power of God wasn't for us, but rather, I think we actually believe that the power of God isn't inside of us! That is seriously not true. The Bible says that as believers we will do the same works as Jesus and even greater works (John 14:12). If God believes in us to carry out the power of Jesus on the earth, He is still for us today just like he was for Jesus many years ago.
I've spent a lot of years thinking that ministry was about telling people how they needed to straighten up and "get right for Jesus," and while I believe that I was mostly doing it out of love and concern, I also think I was taking the wrong approach. I've learned in this life season that ministry is all about loving and serving people the way Jesus would have. If the power of Jesus is active on the inside of me, then touching people's lives should be easy, it should be intentional and it should be out of a heart that has no other motive but love.
In the Kingdom, there isn't a place for weariness, hopelessness, discouragement, fear, hatred or any other thing of the like. In the Kingdom, grace and love are available in abundance. Forgiveness and preferring others over yourself are natural. The Kingdom of Heaven is here and it's now and we, the believers, are the people who carry out the Kingdom vision.
As challenging as you think embracing the Kingdom will be, it's actually easier than you think. It's encouraging to carry that vision, see it manifest and watch as people's lives are radically transformed at the presence of Jesus. It's amazing to watch as people realize that this Jesus guy is really who the word of God says he is. We won't reach this nation or any other nation by professing Jesus and living for ourselves. Nor will we reach this nation or any other nation by trying to fit Jesus into some religious subsect of Christianity. We are the commissioned ambassadors of Christ, set to run the race as he did and transform lives as he did. Our assignment is a bold one and not for the faint of heart, but it's also an assignment of joy and eternal impact.
I'm excited and encouraged as I learn more about carrying out the vision of the Kingdom and also as I realize that because Jesus is FOR ME, I am unstoppable.
My past doesn't define me, Jesus is for me.
My failed relationships don't define me, Jesus is for me.
Financial lack doesn't define me, Jesus is for me.
Sickness and disease don't define me, Jesus is for me.
My emotions don't define me, Jesus is for me.
I am not limited. I am a Kingdom vision carrier. Jesus is for me. He's for you. Let's run boldly together!
