Voice of the Image Maker

“Grow in the loving favor that Christ gives you. Learn to know our Lord Jesus Christ better. He is the One who saves. May He have all the shining greatness, now and forever. Let it be so!”—2 Peter 3:18, NLV

Even on the grand highway of the Great Adventure, there seem to be occasional reduced speed seasons. These lulls, these routine days in the journey are nothing to worry about, though; in fact, they're healthy—they give you time to rest, refuel, reflect, and ask yourself much-needed check-up questions, like: “Am I just going along on this wild ride and simply following His lead until He says otherwise, or should I be intentional about this, with a mission and a heart’s-desire focus?”

And the correct answer is?: Yes.

You might also get this rather startling affirmation from the greatest cheerleader of them all...

“Son, in case you were even kinda-sorta doubting, you were born and built for eternity…with the heart of and after God, the hands and feet of God, the mind of Christ, the joy of the Lord, the strength and power of the Trinity, the wisdom of the Father, the peace that passes all your understanding, and a desire to want to know Who's behind every chapter and verse that will be your guide every mile on this Highway of Holiness. Sound a bit outrageous? Remember, you were made in My image. I even breathed life into your nostrils. Because you are built to rule, and reign, and love, and live fully with Me. Reduced speed zones along the journey are My idea, not to tempt you to the sidelines but to recharge your batteries. You have been hand-crafted and hand-gifted by Me for one purpose: My glory and pleasure, for this time in history, in this place.”

Shock and awe.

But soon, even sometime today, that reduced speed zone will be moving to your rear-view mirror. And because the times seem more urgent than ever, now's the time to respond to the Image Maker with a fresh resolve that will make your own soul sit up and listen....

“Lord, help me to glorify You.

I have talents; help me to extol You by spending them for You.

I have time; Lord, help me to redeem it that I may serve You.

I have a heart to feel; Lord, let that heart feel no love but Yours, and glow with no flame but affection for You.

I have a head to think; Lord, help me to think of You and with You.

You have put me in the world for something—Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life purpose.

I am all Yours—take me, and enable me to glorify You now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”

—Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Zoom, zoom.