To Truly Live

They are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His sanctuary. The one seated on the throne will shelter them: no longer will they hunger; no longer will they thirst; no longer will the sun strike them, or any heat. Because the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and wipe away every tear from their eyes. 

Revelation 7:14-17

What a precious promise! These words are not meant to merely encourage us with what to expect after this life; they're meant to encourage us now with things we can experience while we're living here. We need every bit of encouragement we can get while we're here, to motivate us to keep pressing forward in a good race. Thankfully God is full of encouragement that never expires. 

He invites us to draw near now and always! We have full access to the throne as priests right now and the changes He makes within us are proof! He provides direction, nourishment and provision for us in the present, not just in the future. He give us thirsts and hungers and satisfies many of them in this life even as He making our hearts appropriate for the next. He is our refuge and brings peace even in the worst storms in this life, and we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to experience His comfort and peace. 

We won't see any this if we are living life only in the flesh. We'll just dismiss this as impossible. When we we see only with our human eyes and think only with human logic, our vision is significantly narrowed.  We aren't called to "just get through" this life so we can be rewarded later; we can experience more of God and His rewards as we walk these journeys with Jesus in this life. Jesus brings us into our purposes and callings. Jesus helps us to make the most of our time here- free and empowered. 

Revelation 5:9-10 says, "You were slaughtered and you redeemed the people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on earth." 

Beloved, we have been given a kingdom to look after- the world we live in. Our calling is to influence the culture and care for the citizens as Jesus did. We don't have to and shouldn't be sulking around like we're losing impact. The truth is - we have impact because Jesus gives it to us when we follow Him. We don't influence others in a godly way by pushing people away and choosing who we let in, but by accepting and loving people right where they are because that's what Jesus did! I think we sometimes have this idea that He will punish us for loving "the wrong people". But loving is what we're called to do. We are called to show the world His "impossible" love by reaching out, loving unconditionally and never usurping someone's choice.

Let's stop living like we just want to get done with life; our time here is a gift. We get to partake in leading and influencing others Jesus-style. There is no greater honor than to live a life like His and to be able impact people to move closer to the Healer. Enjoy this life by loving others and living courageously. Enjoy the things you once thought were found only in heaven right now and right here on earth.