Adventure

Adventure:

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

I'd like to talk about the word "renewed" here in Second Corinthians. This is the word ἀνακαινόω (anakainoō) in the New Testament Greek language. This word literally means to make new, or to revivify to an incorrupt constitution.

Just as the verse says, our physical bodies are deteriorating, but our inner man is routinely being refreshed and restored. Daily we're faced with tasks that require much of us. We oft wonder how we'll manage to comply with all of the towering to-do lists. This is where we can jump into the third dimension of this word ἀνακαινόω.

Yet another meaning of this word is to be daily revitalised. God is recurrently reinvigorating us, so as to insure we're receiving adequate quantities of His divine strength and wisdom to take on each day as it comes.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)

The Lord has set a plan in action for each and every one of us. All of God's redeemed are called to minister to the Body of Christ (i.e the Church) in some way shape or form. I'm not implying that you must give up your dreams to become a preacher. That is by no means what I'm saying.

You're not obligated to negate your individual gifts and talents that the Lord has given you in order to fit yourself into the mould of a career path that simply doesn't employ your own dominant assets. In fact, God gives gifts uniquely, and those gifts are designed to be utilised in your very own calling. God has innumerable ways to marvellously use each and every one of His specially created children.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

This is what God spoke to Jeremiah on how He had ordained him from the very beginning to be a prophet. Before he was even conceived by his mother, the Lord had an awesome plan for his life. God predestined Jeremiah with a monumental Kingdom-plan.

"And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them." (Psalms 139:16)

God has predestined us all with a specialty Kingdom-plan. Yes, each one of us! Not all of us are called to be prophets, preachers, and worshipping musicians, but God has indeed given each of us a special gift to use to bring glory to His name and lead a life of constant worship (worship does not always equate to singing, but a life of worship is a life surrendered to the Lord).

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

We're on a God-guided adventure. Everyday is a new day filled with opportunities to learn and grow in our faith. Spiritual growth doesn't need to be a scary concept. Spiritual growth is truly a gift from the Lord. The more matured our sprit becomes, the more clean soil becomes available in our souls. More clean soul soil means the Holy Spirit can begin to plant holy and pure fruits of the Spirit in our hearts.

We are predestined and called, therefore God sent His Son to cleanse us from all unrighteousness so that we may live in the fullness of our destiny. When we accept Jesus as our savour, He implements in us the Holy Spirit's ruling. When the Holy Spirit leads us, we're honestly headed for eternal glory. God's glory is made manifest in us as His chosen vessels.

We hold this glorious grace dear within our hearts, but we also deliver the message of this Great News wherever we go. This is the adventure!

Each day we arise and God revitalises us with new mercies, strength, and courage. As we progress through our daily adventure, we sharpen our God-ordained gifts and talents to use for His purpose and great will. As we press into the Holy Spirit and ask for discernment, He gently nudges us when it's the right time to step out and be bold in our Kingdom-plan.

Lastly, the glory and power of the Lord is contained in our hearts, because that's where His Holy Spirit is taking up residence. By His revolutionary work inside us, He is transforming us from glory to glory.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Behold His glory and be bold in His calling on your life! This adventure of fellowship is too wonderful to retreat away in fear. Trust that the spiritual gifts He gives are being revealed day by day. On the other side of the finish line awaits that promised eternal glory for those who endured and fought the good fight of faith.

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)

Don't be frightened by the long and often tiresome adventure ahead. Look up to the Father, call on Him, and make your requests known. He is faithful to ἀνακαινόω - He will consistently restore and rejuvenate. He provides strength, hope, and joy. Let's embark on this wonderful Kingdom-plan journey!

-The Introverted Evangelist

Photograph Taken By: Rosette Claire