Living the Life God intended

Living the “Life” God Intended Pat and I especially enjoy meeting with newlyweds to talk about “life.” We love hearing their dreams for the future and finally the conversation shifts to the challenges of “life” as they know it. None of them ever expected marriage would be so much work and the adjustments of married “life” so challenging. Pat and I love smiling as they share the ups and downs of newlywed bliss and for the first part of the conversation we want to give them the space to talk it out together. Soon the conversation shifts and we are able to speak into their “life” and talk about the value of starting right, staying the course, so you can finish strong in the end. Bad habits of escalation, strife, and selfishness have to be overruled by good habits of walking in love, becoming peace makers and choosing to live in harmony. Jesus came that we might have “life” so let’s incorporate that “life” in our “life” and into the relationships we share with each other. One thing is for sure, every marriage, every family, every individual is so different and the “life” that we experience is so very much unique, it makes it hard to be able to compare ourselves with anyone else. Our “life” is on a journey and God wants to lead us in the way we should go, each step of the way. He didn’t promise the path would be free of challenges, but He did say we would ultimately find joy in this “life” and actually experience fulfillment. If we happen to need wisdom for this “life” journey, than all we have to do is ask God for it. James 1:2-4 “Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.” VOICE As Pat and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary last week, we were reminded once again the importance of living the “life” God intended. It is about making Him first priority. It is about staying strong and being courageous to trust God and fully relying on His plan for our life. It is good to seek godly counsel, read godly relationship books and then together seek God on what He has for us and not “turning from it-even ever so slightly-so [we] may succeed wherever [we] go. [Joshua 1:7-9, VOICE]” Joshua 1:7-9 “Always be strong and courageous, and always live by all of the law I gave to my servant Moses, never turning from it—even ever so slightly—so that you may succeed wherever you go. Let the words from the book of the law be always on your lips. Meditate on them day and night so that you may be careful to live by all that is written in it. If you do, as you make your way through this world, you will prosper and always find success. This is My command: be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go.” VOICE How about you? Are you living the “life” God intended? If not, thank God for His grace. It is a new day, filled with new possibilities. Make a decision right this moment to start living the “life” God intended each and EVERY day. Be strong and courageous to trust God to help you. Never be afraid or discouraged by your past choices. God is for you, not against you. He is on your side. He will lead you into the “life” that is yours to enjoy. Blessings, Cindy