refuse to be ordinary

Sometimes I do wonder if living for Christ is "worth it". During these times of wonder, I know that my selfishness steps in. Thoughts of living for myself and for the world creep in. My mind is frustrated with what is going around me and within me.

Jesus reminds me that He sacrificed for the world. For me. I live for Him because He loves me so much to die on the cross for me. He reminds me that the world I live in is not always going to be the most pleasant place to live in. Yet, still to see the hope in who He is. He has conquered the world. When all is said and done, when the world vanishes, when people leave their mortal bodies--- He conquered death. In him there is life.

When tragedy occurs in our lives-in all of our lives, how do we choose to live? How do we choose to think and feel? How do we choose to react? When death of loved ones occurs, when sickness happens, when people are mean you, when boyfriend/girlfriend breaks up with you, when you're in financial hardship? The average person would chose anger, vengence, bitterness, hatred, self pity, and worry.

Because we have Christ, we have the power to overcome all those ugly thoughts and feelings. Yes, we will have many times of sadness, but to be able to see the joy through it all...because we have hope in Jesus. To be able to react with love and grace, not anger, bitterness, or vengence. To be able to see the Truth in who we are in Christ and not feel self pity. To be able to put trust in the God that created the universe and not worry about how much money we do not have, the husband/wife that we do not have, the children or grandchildren that we do not have--and put trust in Christ-who conquered death, who loves unconditionally, who is full of grace and mercy, and who provides what we need.

Refuse to be ordinary, because we have Christ in our lives. Is Christ worth it? Yes, it is. Life's an adventure with Him in our lives. A fulfilling adventure. Not an empty one.