Spring’s inconsistency is on display these days.  One day it’s cool or cold and the next day warm and very pleasant.  Even on those enjoyable days, the shade feels like an ice box but when the sun hits us, we are back in bliss.

Spring’s new beginnings are very akin to every new start that we have.  New starts are often uneven and initially take effort to get some consistency.  Spring seems to be the battle of “will the winter past remain or will summer’s future win out?”

My new starts that have any risk of failure have the same struggle.  Will the norms of the past remain, or will I endeavor to see it through to something new?  Maybe I’m the only one who has a wavering that needs to be fought back into submission…doubtful.  We are challenged with each ‘non-gimme putt’ to engage faith.

Having just come through Easter we have the thoughts of how Jesus’ “death to life” mission gives us meaning.  As I’m in pursuit of Christ, I’m constantly in a new effort to love God while living under conviction of the ongoing need to live worthy of my calling.  Those convictions get the light of the Holy Spirit’s revealing in me what must move towards the “summer”.

Lest you think that our lives following Christ are a back whipping, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and do it yourself…it is not!  The duality of I do my part and God does His is the joint effort we undertake when we decide to move from the winter to the summer.  Nonetheless, to make any important change in our lives we must engage … get ready for it…

GRIT

Most of our challenge is never giving up.  Every falling-off-the-horse is followed by immediately getting-back-on-the-horse.  This is grit.  Your nose can be bloodied and maybe even your body broken, but your too dogged to quit.  

• Are you challenged today with the question of how do I squeeze it all in because you’re too busy?  Prioritize the important to be done first and neglect the urgent.

• Have you fell trap to a mistake that temporarily took your heart connection with the Father offline?  Reconcile with Him who loves you and get back on the horse.

• Are you stuck sensing you will never live your life’s mission?  Be faithful in place, develop your plan, and be aware of where God is working around you.  At just the right time, His invite (aka your opportunity) will appear.

Now that you are back mentally in gear…let’s fuel up for the push to summer.  Here is the tip to getting past the difficulty of change – Love the One.  

In Mark 12, Jesus is asked about how to really live.  The affirmed answer – “The Lord our God, the Lord is ONE.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

• Heart – what I care about or my passion – make everything you do connect to what the ONE cares about (people).
• Soul – how I feel and make others feel or my emotions – keep these full of hope and shape your countenance around that hope.
• Mind – how I make decisions or my reasoning – ask the ONE, “is this what You think?”  If you aren’t sure, seek wisdom.
• Strength – what I use to affect the world or my effort – understand that it takes effort.  When I show up and try, every drop of exertion I put out the ONE sees.

Our aim – please the ONE and live for the ONE.  When I do, the ONE shows up and transforms me.

Tomorrow morning, while you spend time with God to start your day – reset with GRIT any noise taking you out of the game and then setup your plans to love the ONE today with all your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength. 

Watch the video and hear more!

In your corner,

Jeff Gerhardt


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