Hey! This is it: the end of November, the end of the Live Alive series! Thanks so much for joining me on this journey. I pray for you as I do for myself that, though we've come to the end, this will be the beginning of something wonderful in your life with the Lord.
I started the series in these verses:
The purpose of series was to explore the idea that once we were dead people walking, but now we are ALIVE in Christ! There were three questions I posed in the first post:
- Have you experienced being brought to life by God?
- Are you living alive?
- What the heck does that even mean?
If being made alive together with Christ is a new idea to you, I pray this series has ignited in you a desire to know God, be made alive by Him, and to follow Him. If you have more questions, please be in touch with me or a local pastor or friend. If you follow Jesus, but have been feeling like there isn't any "spark" in you life, I pray that this series has given you a sense of how to draw near to the Lord and live alive in Him in some new ways.
I wonder after thinking about this for a month how I would summarize "what the heck it even means" to live alive. Here's what I would say:
To live alive the Christian acknowledges daily that they belong completely to and are utterly dependent on God (Father, Son, & Spirit) for all things pertaining to life and salvation, and not in a miserable way, but in the joyful manner of a child who knows how deeply loved and secure he/she is in relationship to a good parent. From that solid foundation, the Christian then lives alive in the world by loving God through the love they show other people, the things they pursue, what they discipline themselves to think about, the decisions they make, and the risks they take.
The alive person is always thinking: How can I love and honor God today? How can I lift up my fellow human here? What is the next step God wants me to take? And none of these questions are asked in fear or guilt, but in anticipation of what God will do. They are grateful to have been invited to participate in God's work in the world. The alive life is intentional, but not stressful, because the Christian knows the details are not up to them; they simply heed God's voice as He calls and directs. And this life is lively because they can never anticipate the exciting ride God has for them until they step out in faith!
There. Does that cover most of what we went over for the last twenty-nine days? Anything you'd add or subtract? What have you been thinking about as you've read this series? I've gotten emails from my mom and dad about it, so I know I have at least two readers! Hahaha. But I really would love to hear your story!
I feel sad that this is the end; it's been fun! No word form the Lord yet about what comes next on this blog, but stay tuned. Let's close in praise of the one who makes us alive:
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
LIVE ALIVE!
Heather 💛
PS Don't forget I want to send someone my favorite Christmas album. Drop me a comment anywhere you find this post on the internet before Sunday, Dec. 2 at noon and your name will be entered to win!