Ohhh, Maggie! Seeing my dog like this makes me think from time to time, “A dog’s life wouldn’t be so bad.”
But…it’s not really true.
It’s been five days since we’ve been talking and pondering about what it takes to become all God has said about us. While it’s a joy to think about, and even dream about it; the truth is, the art of becoming is not easy.
Today, the Lord said, “Let me show you what’s beyond the limits of your humanity.” These words flooded into my mind while I was out running in the neighborhood this morning. Now mind you, I haven’t really been able to run in years. I’ve tried here and there during my illness, but couldn’t find the energy or stamina to keep at it.
But, today, I felt this overwhelming push by the Holy Spirit to get out there; all the while I said to myself, “I don’t really want to!” Again, these words washed over my mind, “Let me show you what’s at your limits.”
And, today, for the first time in two years, I ran for real and felt my normal physical responses. So, I ran and I ran some more. I pushed the boundaries of what I thought I could do, and I found joy.
Even now, I’m being reminded of how scripture describes Jesus’ mission, “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.” It’s hard to fathom, but Jesus found joy at the limits of His humanity. It was in His divine assignment, in His created purpose, that Jesus found the joyful strength and power to go beyond His human limitations.
I think many of us have yet to understand this kind of joy. In fact, I believe you’re running into that right now. As we push to become what God says we are, as we pursue the deep desires of our soul, we are finding our limits—limits of mind and body. Our spirits believe, but we’re not sure our willingness can keep up.
Let me attest to you—your joy is on the other side of your perceived limitations. You can go farther than you think. Accomplish more than you can imagine. Endure much more than you think you can handle. Remember Jesus in the garden; He didn’t want to go through the crucifixion, but it was what He was made for! And so He pushed past His perceived inability, and resurrection was on the other side!
You are so much more than you know. The joy in you is real. Your hopes and dreams are planted deep within you on purpose—dreams not of what you can possess, but what you can be.
You’ll never know the fullness of your joy until you go beyond the limits of your perceived ability. True joy does not come to you in a moment of revelation, but in the ecstasy of accomplishment. You simply have to go to that line; and for the joy set before you, move past it into the fullness of God’s power.
Listen to the Lord within. He will undoubtedly call you into decisions and actions that your flesh will resist, but give in anyways. In that place, beyond the boundaries, you will find all of God’s promises!
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