Something that’s always puzzled me about life with Jesus is that real, genuine lasting change doesn’t happen for many followers of Christ. Why? The Bible is replete with the idea of spiritual change for the better. You might even say that becoming more like Jesus is the main focus of the New Testament. So, why do we experience so little change for the better?

In my readings in the Book of Hebrews, the writer lays out a slippery slope downward that keeps us from experiencing real, lasting change. It begins in Hebrews 2:1-4. In Hebrews 1, we’re introduced to the concept of the vastness and greatness of Jesus Christ. Then, in the beginning of chapter 2, the writer challenges us to not neglect this great salvation that we have in Christ. Neglect is the starting point of the downward spiritual slippery slope. To reverse neglect means that we need to spend time with God cultivating our spiritual life with Him through prayer, reflection on His Word, silence, solitude and other spiritual practices that keep God and life with Jesus in the forefront of our everyday lives.

As I read and reflect on the gospels, it’s amazing to see how Jesus surprised people with who God was. For instance, in Luke 15, the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son show us that this all -powerful, omnipotent God loves us beyond what we can think or imagine. The idea of “lost” that Jesus was trying to convey through these stories is that lost means that we are out of place until we enter into a relationship with God. Our original place of belonging was to be in relationship with God forever. When that was lost in Genesis 3, God has been trying to restore us to Himself. Today, that restoration with God happens when we invite Christ to be our Lord and Savior and choose to follow Him.

Desire is the God-given passion that compels me to make a difference. When it comes to desire or passion, there’s one key spiritual life principle that we have to get is we want to live life God’s way: God does not want you to be committed. He wants you to be surrendered.

Commitment is me and my power — I can do it!
Surrender calls us to yield our lives to God first.
Commitment is saying that I’ll do better.
Surrender is having the confidence that God will do His work through me as I live my
life.
Commitment is me and my best effort.
Surrender is me allowing God’s competency to work through me.

When we learn and live out this principle, we experience the rest and peace that we were meant to have. Then our passion and desire is not grounded in self-effort or self-determination which won’t last. It will be grounded in Christ in us (Galatians 2:19-21).

God wants us to have a new perspective when it comes to life experiences

1. Use your experiences to learn humility.

Matthew 5 [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

2. Use your experiences to help you trust God even when you don’t understand what’s going on.

2 Corinthians 1 [9] This happened so we might learn to trust not in ourselves, but in God.

When you’re flat on your back the only place that you can look is up. Often, that’s the place where God gets our attention.

3. Use your experiences to build character.

Romans 5:4 “We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope.”

4. Use your experiences to accomplish God’s purpose in your life.

2 Corinthians 1 [3] All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Romans 8 [28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

You know what’s awesome about the ending of the story of Job? He humbled himself before God, He learned to trust God, he grew in character and he forgave his friends. He did all of this … and … he did this all before something incredible happened to him: The story of Job ends with God blessing him twofold … God doubled everything that Job had … What God made you to BE determines what God intends for you to DO. God didn’t just WIRE you so you could be unique. He did it so your life would matter. So that you could have significance and impact and meaning with your life because you use it to help others. It’s time to explore and use your own personal wiring for God.

RETHINK HOW YOU USE YOUR TALENTS AND ABILITIES

1. Recognize that every talent and ability is given by God.

2. Use your talents and abilities for God’s glory.

Colossians 3 [17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him… Anything can be done, any of the abilities given can be used for the glory for God.

3. Discover God’s plan for your life by using your talents and abilities.

Philippians 1 [6] … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

God wired us for a purpose. We’re called to glorify Him and serve Him - to know Him and care for others. The talents and abilities that He gave us determine His plan for our lives.