Reaching For An Extraordinary Life - Jewell Utt

“For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Luke 23:31 (HCSB) 

October is an amazing month. In September a gun sounds and the race begins, as school and church ministries resume. By October, routines are established and blessings start to pour forth. One is the blessing of rest, though still in a race, by now we have settled in at our own good pace.

New friendships are established and we gain fresh insight through Bible studies and fellowship groups. As we spend time learning and growing, God renews us for the busy months ahead. We have new blessings to recount at Thanksgiving and power to keep us focused through Christmas.

I welcomed the normalcy of September, but with a downtrodden heart. Summer is supposed to be a time of rest and vacationing. Mine was filled with new ministry and scary changes.  My family, my friends, my church, my community, my government, and the world suddenly transformed in ways I hadn’t expected. Isn’t that when faith strikes back? Yet the only change not forthcoming was from my heart. Transformation was most needed there. I continued to seek God and participate where I was committed.

Then October bloomed with the renewal of Spring. Instead of looking at what I had lost, I searched around for what I could find. I met people reaching for an extraordinary life against the odds. God reminded me how blessed I am in my own life, (due wholly to Him), and He has opened an opportunity to pour into theirs.  He works best against the odds, our weaknesses prove Him strong.

Looking around can bring discouragement. But looking up will bring hope.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Col 3:2 (ESV)

God has a plan for this generation, our world, and its leaders.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Ro 13:1 (ESV)

And God has a plan for YOU!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11(ESV)

Having faith means to trust that God is still in control and to
keep reaching for that extraordinary life.