976 I Dreaded This

You’ve got what it takes to live a ridiculously good life. Within you is impact beyond your imagination. The ability to do great things is within you. Honey, you are lacking nothing. Nothing at all. You may feel like you don’t have what it takes. You may feel inferior or insignificant, but the truth is, you are a powerhouse! God’s almighty power flows through you, fully equipping you for living abundantly well. Yes, guiding you in your thoughts and decisions to that which is divine. Yes, strengthening you to do things you never imagined you could do to fulfill your purpose. And yes, calling you beyond the confines of your comfort zone to things you believe are beyond your reach. YOU HAVE IT … BUT ARE YOU USING IT? Just because I have power doesn’t mean I’ve plugged anything in. Just because the switch is there doesn’t mean I’ve flipped it and turned a dang thing on. Do you have power within you going unused? 2 Peter 1:3 (Passion Translation) “Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.” God’s divine power has been deposited in you! The creator of the universe and all the power that formed the sun and the moon and the stars, has now come to dwell within you. You house his power. He works in you and through you. Like seriously, what COULDN’T you do? Why do you assume you’re not good enough or lacking in any way? Why would you dismiss yourself from big opportunities … have you forgotten the BIG God inside of you? You are good enough to move forward. You do have the strength for the next step, and honey no doubt you will have the strength for all the steps that come after that. You’re not weak. You’re not helpless. You’re not lacking. You are filled to overflowing of every single thing it will ever require to live your life, and live it right. Whatever may come, you have been equipped. Now, can I be honest with you? I love this scripture, but there’s a little part of it that’s kindof a turn off to me. This whole “godliness” part. Is that okay for me to say? I’m saying it because I know I can’t be the only one who struggles with it. The thought of this “godly” life sounds boring. It sounds very buttoned up. It sounds NOT FUN. But that’s a picture I’ve painted, maybe you have as well. God is wildly creative. There’s an untamed whimsy about him. He does the unexpected in funky ways. He hides behind the scenes and concocts bombs of blessings like a never ending surprise party to reveal what he’s been planning for us. He’s not boring. He’s not regimented in a rigid routine. He’s not up tight. He’s not the angry bearded man on a throne who only entertains scripted prayers. He doesn’t carry a big stick to beat you with. Honey, that’s his staff. His staff protects you and it rescues you. And Jesus, woah look at his life. He went where others wouldn’t go and did impossible things in controversial ways. He delighted in bringing in a catch so big it nearly sank the boat, and sat back and laughed. He was adventurous, walking on water in the middle of a storm. He went camping and hiking and had sleepovers. He went to a wedding, and when the wine ran out, he made more. I like him! Jesus was godly in every sense, he was literally God in the flesh, and he was anything but boring, predictable, or restricted. A life of godliness is a life that reflects God’s true nature. God is creative. He is generous. He is untamed. He is BIG. He is wildly loving. God is not who we’ve imagined him to be,