Not living it up or Living it down, living a PURPOSE…

God has been tugging on my heart lately, especially while I’ve been in his word or with others.  I’ve been experiencing this need, more a longing, to make a difference. I’ve been through some difficult times in the past year and half that have had me at war with myself and struggling inside to stay strong in my faith, and God has always given me the strength to press on. When it seemed like there was nothing left to fight for the Holy Spirit pulled at my heart, and made me realize that I couldn’t give up. My devotion today helped me recognize that this life isn’t worth living unless you come to understand that it has a PURPOSE.  Romans 12:2 says that we should not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but that we should be transformed by the renewing of our MINDS. Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. This life is not going to be easy and being humans, we can’t make it any better ourselves. The only thing we CAN do is look to God for guidance and strength, knowing that he has a plan for our lives. I fully believe that he has a plan and purpose for every one of us. If you’ve ever felt like that’s not true for you, I’ve been there. If you’ve ever felt like no one cared and there was nothing going for you, or even if you’re feeling like that now, I really encourage you to reconsider your thoughts. Christ has ALWAYS been there for me, but it was the fact that I was too stubborn to turn around and look him in the face. Sometimes that took admitting that I was wrong no matter how big of trouble I was in so that I could lay my problems at his feet and run into his arms to start over. God doesn’t care what you’ve done, who you are, who you hang out with, or where you’ve been. He has an amazing PURPOSE for you and he cares where you are now. He is willing to help you start over whenever you look to your side and realize that he is right there next to you. This life, MY life, is Christ’s and I’m not living it up or living it down for anyone or anything. I’m living a PURPOSE for one awesome, powerful, loving GOD…