GreaterSample

REBEL HEART

What comes to mind when you think of the word "rebel"? Maybe an old-west outlaw… or just an unruly teenager? A rebel is anyone who rises in opposition of an established ruler. If you’ve declared God the ruler of your life, (and especially if you haven’t), but you try to do things your own way, that makes you a rebel. But the good news is, God loves to take our stories of rebellion, of hurt, and hardheadedness, and change them to stories of people living for His cause. God gave us the gift of free will because otherwise we couldn’t choose to love Him, and forced love isn’t really love. But with free will comes the ability to make our own decisions, for better or worse. There is no magic formula for the easiest path through life. Jesus promised we’d have hardships, and people like Job and Paul would confirm that for you! But the path that produces the most blessing, the most opportunity for growth, and the most joy, despite whatever our earthly circumstances might be, comes from the daily choice we must make to obey God’s commands and ask for His will to be done in our lives. Jesus Christ, fully Son of God and fully Son of man, voluntarily endured agonizing pain and death because He trusted God’s will for His life, even when it looked more than a little bleak for Him, physically. Where can you pray for and trust God’s will to be done in your life today? “Let go and let God” means to hand over the reins to Him instead of endlessly tiring yourself out fighting against Him. He wants what is best for you and sent His Son to die to prove that His will leads only to your best life.