Celebrating Life's Circumstances

My husband and I began running together, in the hopes of completing a half marathon…. As long as we stay injury-free for the next few months (fingers crossed and for my German-readers drücke die Daumen ;))…which I can honestly say has been harder than expected after our past 2 months of training

This morning we ran to the home of fellow church leaders, where our morning prayer/leadership meeting was being held. After the meeting we ran back to our apartment and towards the end of our run we began to pick up the pace and lifted up simple prayers that were on our hearts. We prayed about the day ahead of us and specifically over the idea that we can so deeply and freely love those around us. Also that the freedom that the cross gives may revive us to love and rejoice, regardless of the circumstances we are put into.

What does that even look like? How could we live a life, where peace is an everlasting state and emotion, where we can celebrate when we are rejected, put down, or just struggling. Sounds crazy right? Well maybe I am a bit crazy, but I know that the freedom to choose how circumstances effect us IS a promise of the cross.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things,[ nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Last year, my husband found out he would be receiving a new position within the company, but that entailed a slight pay-cut along with it. How did we react to the news? We celebrated. We bought a bottle of wine, some fresh cheese and bread and toasted to Gods provision, knowing he's got everything under control.

So what is holding you back to day from choosing love, from choosing to be independent from the circumstances that your life brings to you, from accepting the freedom of the cross? Is it your reputation, laziness, career, family, finances. I encourage you to let it go today and accept the freedom, love and joy that comes from Him who died so that we may live, and not only live, but live to the fullest.