Because I Want To:
I’m overwhelmed with God’s awesome love for me(us). His love knows no bounds. Covers all our crap. All our failures and successes. All our doubts. All our fears. His love still meets us in the lowest valleys and the highest mountains of our lives. It causes me to live life with a ‘want to” heartset rather than the ‘have to’ mindset. We hear so much about loving God with all our heart, mind and strength sometimes- and many times forgetting that we can only do that because He first loves us. Even now I hear the song we sing ringing in my head. Feel free to sing along…
Your love never fails- it never gives up, it never runs out on me
Your love never fails- it never gives up, it never runs out on me
And on and on and on and on it goes. It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid. One thing… remains!
Here are a few areas where His love has transformed my “have to” heart into a “want to” heart:
I ‘want to’ read the bible rather than feeling like I ‘have to’ read it: I don’t read my bible because someone told me to. I ‘want to’ read it to get a greater understanding Jesus. I want to know how He thinks? What makes Him tick, etc.? In religious settings, words that are usually attached to reading your bible are- condemnation if I don’t, the pressure of memorizing everything, a certain reading amount is required, etc. Listen, that is not God’s plan when it comes to His Word. He wants a relationship. Yes, reading the bible helps that and it’s a blast when you are searching out relationship, not just information. Don’t make it a chore! Get the ‘want to’ back and watch what happens.
I ‘want to’ attend service regularly rather feeling like I ‘have to’: Each week I come with great expectancy of what God is gonna do. So fired up about what He is doing already! We are seeing lives changed by his grace, our voices of praise released at greater decibels, and a contagious joy as we continue to create an environment where unchurched people want to come and churched people want to invite. When we realize the love Jesus has for us, and His church, we change from the duty of “I have to’ go, to ‘I want to “ go. If you have come down with the ‘church is a duty’ bug, then your focus may need some adjusting. Maybe its become more about what you are getting out of it rather than what you are putting into it. So much more I can say here. Just a thought and yes- I’m still full of love for you.
I ‘want to’ give my finances to Jesus rather than feeling like I ‘have to’: Tracee and I have always been givers. We love to give and look forward to releasing our finances. The tithe is a non- issue for us. We believe in God’s plan of the local church and we don’t look at giving as a law or rule, but rather as an expression of gratitude and love for Him. All these years, and we still can’t out give Him. The more you focus on His love for you and what He gave, you will ‘want to’ give BIG and not at all feel like you ‘have to’.
I ‘want to’ serve Jesus and others rather than feeling like I ‘have to’: Being involved on a team at CC has always given me opportunities to grow, connect with others and it has brought fulfillment in my life. I have always felt I was a part of the greatest movement ever- and still do! Jesus came to serve and I ‘want to’ do the same.
I ‘want to’ love big and forgive quicker rather than feeling like I ‘have to’: I’ve blogged about this before. So again… His love for me has changed me from the inside out, which has allowed me to love others more and forgive quicker. I ‘want to’ release compassion. I ‘want to’ show Jesus’ love to others. I am asking Him to help be more of a conduit of His love to people. I haven’t arrived, but I am much further down the road.
The only thing that remains when we leave this world is love. Nothing else, but His love! Ask Him to help you with the ‘want to’…
