'33'

Today is the day. The dreaded '33.' For those of you that don't know, this is the age Jesus was when He breathed His last. I remember my dad turning '33' and praying that he didn't die on us! Silly, I know, but I was a kid. I also remember thinking how old he was! Then I blinked and I am here. 

33.

I wonder if Jesus woke up on His birthday and knew, this is it. The last one? 
I wonder if they celebrated birthdays like we do?! Although they get less impressive each year!
I wonder if Jesus changed anything in His life? Maybe set new goals or reprioritized things?
I wonder if He was a bit sad that there were certain experiences He didn't get to partake in?

There are a lot of things I could wonder about Jesus that lead me to wondering about myself.

Will I live like this could be my last year?
Will I give everything to my family, ministry, God this year?
Will I be enough for the people and tasks in my life?
Will I make a difference this year that will outlive my life?

I hope I can say 'yes' to all of the above! I understand that hoping is not enough. We need goals, which need systems, which need discipline. I get all of that, but one can still hope! If I look at this list too long it could very easily overwhelm me. I would think that in large part we don't accomplish enough because it is too much to take in all at once, like drinking from a fire hydrant! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! (I do not support the eating of elephants!) This year more than anything else, I want to live out one verse. In some ways, it was a summary of the life Jesus lived. I know today is not your birthday (or maybe it is, and that would be awesome!), but I pray you might join me in living out this verse for this year. Here it is:

"And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." Acts 10:38

I think this could be simple enough for all of us. Don't overcomplicate the will of God or the purpose of God.

1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and with power.
2. Do Good everywhere you are.
3. Don't do anything that would make God not want to be with you. 

​These three things are my purpose for this year. Nothing more, nothing less. Here we go...