ACT 2: DECISION
Everything about who we are – our design and our identity – was ordained in the infinite and intimate mind and heart of a sovereign God. We even discover in the Scriptures that we are “created in the image of God.” This is a mystery beyond comprehension.
What’s next? How do we respond to this reality? Our design (ACT I) demands a decision (ACT II). Our God gives us the freedom to choose the desire of our heart – whether or not to follow Him. The choice to follow Him will catapult us to another realm, another arena. We are not only “created in the image of God,” but we become “image bearers.” In Scripture we come to recognize that this all begins with being “borne again.” We then embark on a sacred adventure, a holy pilgrimage, where our story or narrative in life blends into God’s overarching meta-narrative. It becomes a “once-upon-a-time-to-kingdom-come” existence. We are never required to muddle through life alone; we are constantly borne along by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. We actually get to participate with God in His plan for the cosmos, and He allows us to be a significant part of that.
Exploring the following expanded passages of Scripture can confirm and commission you into a life of purpose and proclamation. These truths can fill you with a soul-excitement that is overwhelming, and at the same time, give you a lively hope and a calming peace.
PSALM 138:8 HIS INVOLVEMENT IS CONSTANT
“God is never passive or indifferent to what He has created and crafted you to be. His love for you is endless. Your life is on a trajectory of coherence and completion.”
PSALM 139:16 RECORDED IN HIS BOOK
“Everything about you was already prescribed, inscribed, and described before your physical and miraculous conception. And it’s all in Your Book! God’s Word contains the purpose and destiny of every individual. The way to discover this is to personally assimilate the Scriptures. As you do this over a lifetime, the design and definition of who you are and what you are meant to be will be revealed to you.” For a further explosion of gratitude, read the next two verses… 17 and 18.
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 NEVER A DOUBT
“You can be confident and fully convinced about the fact – reality – that if God started a great work in you, He will carry it through to completion all the way to the ultimate unveiling of Jesus Christ.”
PHILIPPIANS 2:13 EFFECTUAL AND FERVENT
“Be energetic in your life of salvation. God’s energy is imparted to you in order that you might discover and accomplish the good things you desire to do that will give Him pleasure.”
EPHESIANS 2:10 GOD’S POETRY
“Okay, now I’ve tucked your own personal genius within you. I’ve prepared works, and I want you to walk in them. I want you to figure out the nuanced way that I’ve put my creative spark into your heart. And I want you to go on a cosmic scavenger hunt to figure out what fills your heart with the passion that the world needs to have.” (Lusko)
ROMANS 8:28-29 JOINTLY FORMED AND FASHIONED
“God knew what He was doing from the beginning, so be convinced that every detail of your life is being continuously and harmoniously woven together for good. You have been called and commissioned to fulfill a divine purpose, and in doing this you are looking more and more like Jesus every day.”
COLOSSIANS 1:9-14 ABANDONED TO GOD
“Pay attention, take notice of the massive amount of God-activity that is happening all around you. Allow it to fill you to overflowing with an understanding of how God is working in your life. May the supernatural breath of the Spirit infuse you with wisdom and discernment every moment of your life.
May every good plan and purpose of your life come to fruition and be on radiant display before others, proclaiming that you are devoted to and living for the Master. Your kingdom periphery will expand. It will explode exponentially.
The result of God’s dynamic power within you will result in robust and vigorous living. It will produce endurance and fortitude, faith and freedom, joy and hope.
Let gratitude ooze from your life, showing others how amazing it is to be participating with God and others in the expansion of His kingdom. You are also partaking of a future inheritance, which is your bright hope and beautifully bountiful heritage.
God has rescued you from the obscurity and torment of making your own way through the darkness. This is complete deliverance, full forgiveness, and overwhelming liberty.”
BOOM!
ZAP!
POW!