This Is Your Life

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Based on “Don’t Know What to Do – God Does” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/2-3/10,

Message #MB402; Daily Devotional #3 - “This Is Your Life”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Many of you recently sang the familiar words of “Auld Lang Syne.” But what does that really mean? The literal translation is “old long since.” Basically, 2010 is here and 2009 is gone—hardly a newsflash, but pure reality. Our old days have gone and new days are coming. Some of us will forge ahead as we are and others will make changes for a better life. A new year often brings a sense of new possibilities and attitudes that we can improve our current status. Whether we make a physical, emotional, or financial change, we will still look forward to the next year when our ‘window of opportunity’ comes again. As the old year grows dim and the New Year rises up, the search for new life begins.

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): There was a paralyzed man who wanted new life but could not get to Jesus because of the crowds. This man sought help from the only source who could heal Him (Psalm 121:2), and with the help of his friends, was lowered through the roof on a mat and saw Jesus face to face (Luke 5:19). There are not many details about this man other than his handicap and his faith. It seems that he searched high and low to find Jesus and be in His presence, no matter the obstacles. And knowing there was no way in but to dig through the dirt roof, we see that nothing was going to hold him back from seeking and finding new life. This man used his window of opportunity to make a change that would be eternal. There was no special holiday or party or timing needed for this man to know change was available to him. He admitted he needed help and humbled himself before the Son of God who makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17). One moment this man was disabled and the next he was enabled. Jesus simply said, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. (Mark 2:11) In response, He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (Mark 2:12) His body may have been paralyzed, but his faith was energized. His New Year began at that moment, and his old days were long gone.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): We need not wait for the next year-end appointment to transform our lives. Do you want to see change in your life? If so, don’t let your pride paralyze you from seeking the true source of all change, Jesus Christ. Start digging through the dirt believing you will find new life on the other side. This man had a choice: to live in his current condition or seek a new way to live. He chose to let go of the past and grab on to eternal life. What will you choose to do? Yesterday is over and today is all you have. This is your life. Is it everything you want it to be? Trust God and let Him show you that He is capable of way more than you can ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20).