Consuming Fire

Easter Sunday what a great day it was!  We enjoyed amazing music at our 9:30 service with the 11:11 band with some added strings.  I wish it could be that way every week!  I woke up with the chorus from "Glorious Day (living He Loved Me) by Casting Crowns in my head that we sang on Sunday:

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

I had a smile on my face...the first in a long time on a work day morning.  A lot has been going on in my life and some of it is/has been very stressful and unknown.  I'm thankful to have my very supportive husband and heavenly Father.  I'm reminded of something our pastor said on Sunday in his service.  It reminded me of the wildfires that have been happening in Oklahoma and Texas recently.  The fires are not a good situation, especially when a lot of Texas has been without rain for quite some time.  However, God showed me that just as those fires were consuming the land in Oklahoma and Texas, He wants to be the Consuming Fire in our lives.  He wants us to let Him consume our lives and live for Him.  He wants us to spread His Love live a consuming fire.  God sent his son to be born of a virgin, who lived and went through everything we as humans can go through.  Then the ultimate sacrifice was given as Jesus' was hung on a cross, died, and the best part..ROSE AGAIN!!  Why you might ask would a father give his son's life?  So that you and I can have eternal life in heaven, a place that we can try to imagine but is far greater than anything we will ever know here on this earth.  I am not a parent yet, so I cannot even imagine the love one has for their child, but I can imagine that it would be heart-wrenching to have your child go through everything Jesus went through.  However, God did this because He loves us so incredibly much!  I know I do not feel like I deserve that kind of love, but God has given it to me freely and I have accepted it and a relationship with his son, Jesus Christ.  I may not live each day the way I should, but God forgives me and leads me to where He wants me to be in His will and plan for my life.  I am thankful for His love and forgiveness.

So, on this Thursday, I want to be more intentional.  I want to live with this light that is consuming like the wildfires!  I want others to know that life is fun, even in the midst of trials.  Trust, me I have them and am going through some.  However, I feel I've let the darkness in too much and not let my light shine enough lately.  That is not how I want to live, but I want to live in the light!

Live with purpose and abandon, Laugh often (every day), Love with your entire soul...and know it won't always be easy but by doing those things it will be easier to handle and more enjoyable that the other options that are out there in this crazy world.

Have a fabulous day, my friends!