Be in 2014

During our First Conference this evening at Gateway, Bill Hybels asked the question "Who do you want to be in 2014," and for the first time in my life I sincerely thought, myself.

This is a big win for me folks.  Huge.

I've wanted to be a lot of things in life---prettier, stronger, and by God, maybe even a morning person! But I've never honestly wanted to be me. I spent a lot of my time hating what I was, and pining away for what I wasn't. Not Godly enough, not good enough, not thin enough. This is not wholeness people!  At best it's a half-life, and it sure is not abundant life.

The bible says the Holy Spirit comes to both convict us of sin and righteousness, and while I've spent a lot of time on my sin, I can't say I've spent much time on my righteousness. Unfortunately years of bible school, bible college, and church folk had taught me the only the first part of that verse, and because of that I learned not to trust myself, much less love myself.

When I got engaged to my husband, one of my sweet friends responded by reminding me that my heart is wicked and deceitful. In her defense, Kevin and I got engaged just shy of the week of dating, which shocked most people, but we felt strongly in our hearts that it was right. And in my early Christian days, I actually trusted my heart. 

It turns out that instinct was right too. Part of the promise of the Messiah is that He would give us a new heart. So it would stand to reason that my heart is now very good. In fact it can be trusted and loved, not just by others, but by myself.

I mean, really, if Jesus lives there it must be holy! 

Bill Hybels went on to encourage us to put our priorities on our calendar and stick to them. So in 2014 there will be a new word on my calendar that's well earned its place. BE. No striving, no pining, just pure unconditional acceptance, the kind that only a Savior could buy.