I always want to be real with you guys, not pretending to have it all together or to never struggle. I want you to know that Jesus is the same for me as He is for you—and He is enough for all the messes in life as well as the days that seems to stretch on forever. And I hit a wall this week.
I was exhausted, felt sick (not coronavirus symptoms) and had to cancel some remote appointments. In short, I was not radiating with hope like Romans 15:13 talks about.
Have you ever been there?
I knew when I woke up the next morning, I needed to regain my focus in order to operate out of the fullness of uncontainable joy and perfect peace, because I definitely had not been. I usually get to the end of my rope when I don’t even realize I have changed my source and have decided that all the pressure to perform, do and produce has landed squarely on my own shoulders again.
I don’t have enough for this time or any other. I operate from a lack when I feel that it is up to me and I have to eke it out in my fleshly strength. So, what’s the difference in operating from the flesh and operating from the Spirit?
Well, when I’m using my flesh as my source, I have decided it’s all up to me and God’s not doing anything about my situation. I have turned in pride and unbelief from the One who has the ability to empower me to do anything, and am instead relying on my own resources (brain power, physical strength, stamina, determination) to get me through.
The wonderful news is that it doesn’t take long to change this up. The instant I realize that I’m trying to be my own source for everything, I can turn from that and acknowledge Jesus as my Source. It means that I have to realize I can’t do it all, and in humility ask for Him to be all He is in me. It also takes faith that He will show up.
In that humility and faith, the weight drops off my shoulders and I can come back to Him for all I need to do today. Today is too big for me, and I’m going to guess it’s too big for you too. My friend Mike Wells used to say “Jesus, you are welcome here,” as he started his day. It’s the simplicity of refocusing on the One who can provide all we need, and living out of His enoughness.
The promises from this Life are incredible—being filled to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace, and being surrounded with His super-abundance until you radiate hope. What’s the requirement? Trust Him. Turn to Him. He is the inspiration and fountain of hope.
I think I often want to put something else as the source of my hope and strength. I want the end of the struggle to be the source of my hope. Or a change in circumstance. Or more money. Or a change in someone else who is “causing” my frustration. But these things can’t be the source of my hope because they won’t really bring what I need. The only Source that is consistent and faithful is our God. He alone can be the One who brings hope, peace, joy—so much so that you can radiate it!
I want to be a hope radiator. I want to welcome Jesus into each part of my life, living out of His resources instead of my own lack. Whatever comes today, I am thankful that He is able to fill me with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as I trust Him. And He can do that with you too.
Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope! Romans 15:13