40 Days of purpose - Day 1

Braynews

Day One

This is a long blog but today is a special day.

Delighted that today I made church as I feel compelled to do a journal for the 40 days of purpose. This is a bold step for me particularly as I have been a Christian for 19 years and to say that my spiritual temperature is warmish is not an exaggeration (1 year of Christian growth multiplied 19 times…) I will be sharing my journey as I really feel God challenging me to do more and give him more of my life. I am excited as I know that I’ll change but then again perhaps that’s what I’m fearful of.

I find that I can come up with many an excuse as to why I can’t spend more time with God (amazing how a sick child and a non-Christian husband can be used as to the reasons why I can’t do something!). In one of our church services recently the concept of tithing was applied to time and I realised that I wasn’t even spending 1% of each day with God so “the purpose driven life” has come at a good time. I have also realised that during my walk with God I have never given up anything for Lent. I know that I am going to be changed as a result (scary!!!) I sometimes wonder when I look in a mirror what God sees as he knows me and sees me for whom I am. As he loves me unconditionally he doesn’t see what I do and look for all the wrinkles and grey hairs. He wants to build me up and be the person that he created.

I saw the video by Rick Warren at church and found myself being challenged. At that time I felt so embarrassed by my lack of spiritual progress that I couldn’t even complete the grading to understand where I stood in relation to God’s 5 purposes. Having been honest and now scored mainly 2s I feel exhilarated that unlike an appraisal where you have to explain your shortcomings and how you will move on until you reach the acquired level God has a different perspective. He wants to encourage us to trust him to reveal his will for us and our active response. I feel that I have woken up from a deep sleep.

Somehow along the way I managed to get distracted and focus on life and all that it brings rather than on the purpose God has for me and that I was made for him.

I am not super holy I read the 1st chapter of Rick Warren’s book at 6:00 Am. and this is most definitely out of character for me. However, my goldfish brain (is this on the telly now, no it’s a recording, is this on the telly now…) has made me read the chapter twice in the vain hope that by tomorrow I can still remember the biblical verse. 24 hours can be a long time in my life!!

I am looking forward to what tomorrow brings. I pray for everyone who is committed to this opportunity that you would be open to God’s deepest blessings.