I got comfortable with being thirty something but now it’s on to bigger and better numbers! I want to remain positive about getting older, though it comes with its aches, pains and mental battles. It’s knowing I’ll never get younger, but with God’s help I’ll become wiser, braver, kinder and ultimately more like my Savior Jesus Christ.
This morning I was making chocolate chip cookies with coconut flour. The recipe I looked up required 6 eggs. Well, I had a hard time justifying the use of all those eggs so I skimped and just put in 5. The batter seemed to be a good consistency as I added the coconut oil so I finished mixing and popped them in the oven. The real test came when they were baked and I realized the cookies were slightly dry and more fragile and crumbly than I had hoped; that sixth egg was essential! It would have made the difference. With each passing year I see how momentary and fleeting life is. Each day is so brief and seemingly insignificant at the time. Just like that last egg, we, though small, are part of God’s master plan. Joining Him in His work around us means others are seeing and experiencing GOD in their lives too, even if they don’t yet know it is HIM.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18-22 states, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many…But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable…’”
There you have it: YOU and I are indispensable parts of the body of Christ! We are meant to do OUR individual part for the betterment of other believers and those who are on the path to faith!
One book I finished recently is entitled Experiencing the Presence of God by A.W. Tozer. It pointed out the many obstacles that can inhibit us from enjoying God’s presence. Interestingly the main blockage is our own SELF. With social media at its height of normalcy in today’s generation, posting an update on your life is as natural as brushing your teeth every day. Perhaps because I was born pre-online media and grew up without it for a good chunk of my life, I realize the freedom in steering clear of too much self-absorption. When our focus is self we fail to see God and therefore fail to reach others with His love and good news. It’s innate in all of us to be selfish, self-centered and egotistical in nature, and our society constantly normalizes that sinful tendency.
On my birthday we were traveling to visit our dear family down in Virginia, and the day before we had a lovely celebration with a homemade cake from my sister-in-law Marcia as well as thoughtful gifts and words from my parents, siblings and immediate family. One of the cards had a verse that I decided to make my “verse of the year” and I thought I’d share it with you. It is:
“You show that you are a letter from Christ..written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”
2 Corinthians 3:3
A sobering passage in the Bible is when Jesus says,“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matthew 7:21-23) Our “good deeds” do not save us (Ephesians 2:8-9), but a faith without feet is not true faith. We must be DOING His will as we walk with Him day by day, otherwise we do not KNOW Him.
This year I want GOD to be what people clearly and unmistakably see in me. I don’t want to wait for another milestone birthday, nor should you, to live a purposeful life. I have come to embrace the fact that each day is a new opportunity to know God more, experience His presence throughout my day, and to love others with the incredible and undeserved love I have received from Him. Jesus is my spark, my energy to seize the day and live on mission!
The song by Nicole Nordeman entitled “Legacy” states,
“I want to live a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you?
Enough to make a mark on things,
I want to leave an offering,
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically,
and leave that kind of legacy.”
That song I have included below in a YouTube video. Take a moment to listen to it and to rededicate your life and day to HIM.
God bless each of you, dear ones, and may you know that I long for all of us to live each day to its fullest potential and ultimately to give God the glory and the credit in everything we put our mind and hands to.
Leave a comment to let me know you were here. With gratitude from a 40-year-old daughter of the King!
Christina, So glad you left me a message on here as it means a lot and I am blessed to know you as well. God be with you always, dear friend!
Nicole, Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday via voicemail on my birthday and on here! It’s wonderful to know you too are following the Lord; don’t stop seeking and serving HIM! Love to you always!
Sandy, Thank you for letting me know you read and enjoyed. God bless you dear!!
Thank you for sharing your heart! ❤️
Thank you for sharing your insights and some great nuggets of truth! I hope you had a lovely birthday! I enjoyed reading your reflections!
Love this! You’re always so encouraging Krystal. Thank you for being a constant blessing. Happy belated 40th Birthday!!!! 🎉 ♥️ 🎈 xoxo
Anne, So glad that you were encouraged by that word from the Bible about us being indispensable in His eyes, in HIS kingdom! Truly we have a Good, Good Father who loves us and uses us in ways we cannot imagine if we surrender our lives to Him day by day. God bless you, dear Anne!
Michelle, thank you for taking a moment to read and let me know you 🙂 You are a blessing!
Marcia, thank you for your light that burns brightly for Christ. Your encouragement and love is a gift. Love you too!
Krystal! First and foremost thank you for sharing your thoughts and heart with us!
Thank you for reminding me that everyday is an opportunity to celebrate God and to be his letter to the world! You are an amazing, beautiful, loving person. My prayers go to you and for this space where your share God’s words and experiences.
Love you very much!
Lovely reflections Krystal ❤️ Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thank you for reminding me that we are indispensable.
Often we are told that we are dispensable, but in Christ’s eyes we are loved, wonderfully made, and a beloved part of the church.
Amy, thank you for taking a moment to read and leave a comment. Praise God for His mighty work in us to be renewed day by day and the privilege it is to LIVE for HIM!
I loved this. Thanks for sharing, Krystal.
Thank you for reading, dear Britty. Love to you always.
Destini, Thank you for reading. I loved that verse too, and it is convicting to live up to! God bless you my dear cousin!
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Thank you for the encouraging word! I especially took to heart, your scripture for the year…
“You show that you are a letter from Christ..written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”
2 Corinthians 3:3
Love you!