God has called you to thrive

As the last chime rang out in 2022, many people exhaled a sigh of relief. At long last 2022, a year brought with hardship and turmoil was finally over.

This collective sigh was one of survival. 2023 is now underway and several have made resolutions in regards to better health, fitness goals, relationship goals, and financial goals. Some have even made goals spiritually.

Out of all the resolutions you can make, none is more important than those that will draw you closer to God. The reality is that better health, better finances, better relationships, and better lives are directly impacted by a healthier spiritual life.

Again, many people were just happy they survived 2022. It seemed to stretch on forever and events such as sickness, war, financial disparity and failing relationships seemed to pile up like a traffic jam on I-380.

But today, I want to share something with you. I want to share a point of hope with you.

Do you realize that God has called you to do more than just merely survive. God has called you to THRIVE! Yes, that’s right. THRIVE!

Whoever trusts in material possessions will fail but the righteous will thrive and flourish. Oftentimes God will allow us to experience troubles so we see just how present he is.

Scripture teaches us that when we are in need we call to the Lord and he hears us.

We read in the gospel of Matthew that we can make our requests know to God. He hears us and will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Wait, so what about when I asked for something and I didn’t get it? God knows our needs. He also knows our patterns.

“Lord, I need a new car.” That’s a request true enough, but do you even take care of the car you currently have? Do you service your vehicle? Why would God give us something he knows we would not take care of.

“Lord give me money. I need a financial miracle.” Do you have a budget or do you just put it all on red and hope it hits? The answers to prayers go to the root of the issue we are dealing with.

We can know for certain that God is there and he will supply what we need. He loves us too much to let us keep making the same mistakes over and over again. He wants us to learn and lean.

Thriving in your spirit requires your faith. It requires your recognition that you are not in control, but having faith that God is in control and he sees and knows you.

Thriving means spending time in prayer with the Lord. Prayer time that is not just a laundry list of what we want, but open honest two way communication.

Thriving requires us to recognize, listen and respond to the spirit of God. Thriving also means acting on what we are directed to do.

Yes, you did make it through 2022. God brought you through it. He did it for a reason.

Now, the decision is yours. Will you respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and purpose in your heart to THRIVE?

Part of Thriving is finding a faith community to be a part of. Find a church. Get involved with that church and look to serve others before you do yourself.

Maybe you are nervous or feel like you might fail perhaps even fail again. Do not stop trying.

If you find yourself searching and do not have a faith community to call your own, we would be honored to help you on your journey.

Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., come and join others who are striving to thrive. Come start your year off right. 1602 E. Washington St., Washington, Iowa. We’d love to meet you.

If you have a church you call home, go and let the Lord speak to you. Don’t let the resolution to be more proactive in your spiritual life be a resolution that fails. With God all things are possible.

Happy New Year from all of us at Washington First Assembly.