Last Saturday (I almost wrote Friday), March 10th, I talked about a "rhythm of life" that  unifies our lives into a sacred whole, that promotes the transforming of our nature to be more like Christ's, and that empowers us to reach out to those around us who are lost and in need of Christ's love and forgiveness.  I will be sharing more on this in the near future, but I want to challenge our hearts today to begin the journey now.  The bottom line is that for many of us our "rhythm of life" not only does not enhance our spiritual lives, but actually hinders it.  If
we are going to experience God the way we desire, then we must start by changing the way we live life. 

Last Saturday (I almost wrote Friday), March 10th, I talked about a "rhythm of life" that  unifies our lives into a sacred whole, that promotes the transforming of our nature to be more like Christ's, and that empowers us to reach out to those around us who are lost and in need of Christ's love and forgiveness.  I will be sharing more on this in the near future, but I want to challenge our hearts today to begin the journey now.  The bottom line is that for many of us our "rhythm of life" not only does not enhance our spiritual lives, but actually hinders it.  If we are going to experience God the way we desire, then we must start by changing the way we live life.

One of the things that keeps some of us from changing the way we do life
is that we are waiting first for God to change the circumstances of our
lives.  You know what I mean.  We say, "when God makes a way, I'm going
to ...." or "I'm waiting for God to open a door, or increase my
finances, or give me the right partner, or change the job I have, or fix
my life or ... ... ..." and the list goes on and on.

I came across an interesting passage in my study of Jeremiah the other
day.  It is Jeremiah 29:4-13.  Jeremiah wrote to the Jews that had been
exiled to Babylon telling them to "work for the peace and prosperity of
Babylon."  What?  Did he really mean that?  I thought they should be
doing everything possible to change their situation and get back to
where they wanted to be.  He also told them, "Build homes, and plan to
stay.  Plant gardens, and eat the food you produce.  Marry and have
children.  Then find spouses for them, and have many grandchildren.  
Multiply!  Do not dwindle away."  Now, he didn't mean for them to just
assimilate the culture they were in.  That would have made them
idolaters which is what got them there in the first place.  But he was
saying that while God has you here, be productive.  He even told them to
"Pray to the Lord for that city where you are held captive, for if
Babylon has peace, so will you."

So many of us are waiting for our circumstances to change so we can live
for God, and God wants us to live for Him in the circumstances we are
in.  Where we are in life is not an accident.  God knew where we would
be at this moment in time.  And He has a plan for your life at this
moment in time.  He wants us to get on with it and live for Him in this
moment.  It is interesting that one of the Church's most treasured
verses is found in this passage.  We quote it all the time.  We just
don't acknowledge the context of it.  It is verse 11 and also verse 13.  
Verse 11 reads, "For I know the plans I have for you. ... They are plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future."  He said this to them in the midst of their captivity, in
circumstances they did not want to be in.  They were asking for their
circumstances to change.  He was saying that He would bless them in
those circumstances.  He told them that He had plans for them now, not
when they got back home.  And in verse 13 He told them, "You will seek
me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  In other words,
they could find Him in Babylon if they only would seek for Him.  We can
find God today in our everyday circumstances, even if our circumstances
don't seem to be most conducive for doing so, if only we will seek Him.  
Many times it is the difficulty of our circumstances that cause us to
seek Him so desperately.  And in that desperation, we find Him.

"Sacred living", one of the foundations of our LifeQuest journey, is
about living out our sacredness in our current circumstances.  Are you?  
Or are you asking God to change something first so you can then live for
Him the way you dreamed?  Perhaps the words He had for the Jews in
Babylon are words for you today.  Perhaps it is time for you to start
living for Him now, in the opportunities He give you today.  Remember He
is ready to "prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a
future."  And He promises that you will find Him as you look for Him
where you are, and not where you want to be.

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