In this world, everyone is trying to better their lives by adding more to their current situation, fulfilling their bucket list, and accomplishing more of this and that before their time runs out. But for what? I implore you precious people to step back and examine your life and the purpose God has created you in his image (Genesis 1:26-27). It is not for vainglory or to accomplish an agenda of sorts, but we were created for this earthly portal to ready and prepare our heart posture to know the Triad of faith: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To worship the living God. We embrace this by the beginnings of Mary’s words in Luke 1: 38, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” In other words, let your will be done. Her heart posture was continually bent in the position and practice of her heavenly Father. Does this posture represent you? She could not have carried Jesus without this blessed assurance of knowing that this was God’s will for her life and saying yes to it all!

How do we live in a heart posture that remains open to Jesus in all things and through all things? To be self-aware of our great need for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Repent, Reflect, and Receive. God has given us richly all things to enjoy that pertain to godliness and life, but we must freely choose his will (2 Peter 1:3). Fiat voluntas tua—Latin meaning, let your will be done! God’s plan and purpose in Christ is that the Holy Spirit move and shape us accordingly-to the power and glory of his word. This we can count on and receive wholeheartedly. This is sanctification at its highest and sets us apart as a holy people so others might come to reflect Christ’s image by repenting from their sins and receiving this new life in the Spirit. We must begin to recognize that our new heart posture is from the heavenly realm and only visible to those who can see beyond themselves and into God’s supernatural realm. This trinitarian posture is formed through living in humility, thanksgiving amid suffering, abiding in Jesus, enduring our cross, joyful intimacy, gratitude, appreciation, and awe and wonder. This is the wideness of God’s mercy that is intricately woven within us to live rightly according to his word and for his will to be done. We are his and he is ours!

We search for more of this and that every day, and yet, nothing will satisfy us because our heart is fulfilled and only satisfied in the More Than-the Father Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity lives and moves within us. So let us receive the invitation that God has graciously offered us in Christ so that his will might be done in our hearts and lives. The first step is to Repent– to return to our first love, Jesus. To turn back to God and come forth to begin anew. It is never too late to return to Jesus. Repentance is necessary for pruning and dying to old habits. The more we repent and turn an about face to behold the beauty of Jesus, God’s divine favor grounds us in the Holy Spirit to continue the straight and narrow path he has called us to.

Next, we must Reflect-to examine our hearts and become self-aware of how God desires to change us through a myriad of opportunities. In everything, we must reflect on how the Holy Spirit can change us into Christ’s glorious image. Just as we head to the medical doctor for an examination, so it is with our soul/heart; we take inventory of why things bother us or why we are defensive, or just plain stubborn. This is a blessed time to surrender all to Jesus and allow the Spirit to work patiently in us. Not to reflect on the past but the dawn of a new day. We will never form, reform, or transform without reflecting inward. This is necessary and vital work for our new life in the Spirit. He will help us to soften our heart where it has been stubborn and open it wide where it has been closed for so long. Quit thinking of how others should change and begin reflecting on how the Lord desires to change you.

And finally, Receive-Once we have tasted God’s beauty, grace, and goodness of being found in Jesus, we will never desire anything else. This new posture will root us in God’s will to receive his new life. We will receive God’s gift of Jesus and utilize it for his glory and to build his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. In the receiving, God is restoring us unto completion. Our heavenly Father has so much in store for us, but we must take the responsibility to receive this abundant life in Jesus. As we enter this blessed union with him, we will always walk in harmony with God’s will for us, and claim Mary’s humble but profound words, “Let it be according to your word, let your will be done.” Our witness is to see God’s blessing and favor in all manner of life; so now, and only now, we can reflect the power and presence of God’s eternal glory to the world. We are forever transforming for his will and word sent forth, a taste of glory divine! Fiat voluntas tua!

I pray this over you:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Blessings

Dr. Caroline