We Were Meant To Live!

The seasons are changing, the dogwoods are beginning to bloom, and the grass is growing and is most likely in desperate need of a trim. There is Life springing up all around us.

The earth is slowly waking g up from it’s three month slumber, with a stretching yawn the warmth of the sun is felt again, as it’s bright golden beams reach across the hills, through the valleys, and into the hearts of God’s most wonderful creation.

And though life is springing, Death still pursues us; it still shows its grip on all creation, even in the living. I was recently listening to a talk show host discuss the Terri Schivo case and her recent passing. I was reminded of just how strong death’s grip is. As I waded through my own emotions of disgust, anger and sorrow. God reminded me that we were meant to live for so much more.

We were meant for life!

We were meant for Adventure!

We were meant to risk!

I want to talk to you today about life, adventure and risk.

Life was meant to live!

2 Corinthians 3:6 says:

Our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life! NASB

And Life is meant for more than simply trudging around through daily routines and constantly forcing ourselves to conform to an image of a “cookie cutter Christian” with penny loafers, dress slacks and a polo shirt buttoned all the way up!

The scenes around us reveal God’s creativeness. We were meant for so much more!

Life was meant to be lived. It is an adventure!

The imagery of adventure looks like biking through unfamiliar woods, down a single-track trail through a tunnel of overhanging tree limbs.

Adventure looks like crossing a brisk stream on long hills in the woods, listening to the squirrels as they scamper across the underbrush; it looks like climbing a sheer rock face, with only your grip and determination as a safety device.

These images remind us of our intended adventure, of our journey!

Adventure by definition involves risk!

None of us know exactly where the trail will lead us. None of us know exactly what it will require, or what challenges it will bring.

Life, like adventure, is an amazing, messy, wonderful, demanding, adventure, and we were men to LIVE IT!

God said to Jeremiah in Jer. 29:11-13

“For I know the plans I have for you…. Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” NASB

We were meant to LIVE!

V12- then you will call upon me and come and pray to Me. And I will listen to you, and you will seek me and find Me when you search fro Me with all your heart.

We were meant to adventure & we were meant to risk!

Don’t be afraid to be different, don’t be afraid to take a stand, and don’t be afraid to step up, to step out, to stand up, to stand out and be counted!

You might get shut down, you might get slammed, made fun of, ridiculed and reviled,

But as believers “Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world”

Colossians 1:13-14 says

“He delivered us from the domain of darkness in transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” NASB

We can change the world; you can change the world by taking risks, by risking your image, risking your popularity, by risking your acquaintances.

A small sacrifice on your part can be the difference between life and death to another.

Change the world one life at a time.

1-2-1 (one- to – one)

Prayer:

Lord help us to live with reckless abandon to You, help us to keep our eyes, our focus, and our devotion fixed on you, help us to be world changers, help us to be leaders, help us to be servants, help us to follow,

Bend us Lord to the point of breaking that we might be found in Your shadow. Help us Lord to love as You love, to lead as You led, and to be broken and poured out, that we might lead others to Your gift of eternal life.