Today is going to be the best day ever. Before you keep reading and wondering what could be so different in my life today that makes it the best, know that today is no different than any other day for me. I have my day planned and all my work to-do’s in my planner. Not much is different about today, other than my perspective. I live too many days striving and yet not attaining. Anyone know what I mean? I run and run and wear myself out doing everything in our my strength, only to collapse into the arms of God. It usually takes me coming to my wits end to admit, once more, that I can do anything apart from Him. (John 15:5)
The life we live on earth was never meant to be drudgery or done on our own. And yet most of us live each day doing monotonous tasks, carrying heavy burdens on our back and swimming upstream, only to be exhausted at the end of the day and not looking forward to the next. It is true that in this fallen world there is sin, there are burdens and there are plenty of tasks we do each day that aren’t exhilarating, but rather, humbling. God knows all of this. When Jesus told us in John 10:10 that “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life,” He meant His words fully knowing the struggle we would face in this world.

We have the abundant riches of God, available every single day at any time. There is no limit to His riches in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 explains it this way: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” (emphasis mine) Did you get that? Not just a few blessings, but every single spiritual blessing is ours in Christ. God is not limited, nor does He limit us to His blessings depending on our circumstances or our moods. Each day I have a choice. I can either serve Christ with everything in me, taking hold of His joy, delighting in His presence and serving Him fully (yes, even when I am doing daily tasks like brushing my teeth and doing the dishes), OR I can choose to be discouraged, to want more than what He has given me right now (which He always gives us all we need), and to set my eyes on seemingly “hopeless” situations and not on the cross.

God’s mercies, His abundant joy, His life-changing Gospel and His living Word never change. As my Pastor, Jason Hayes says, “God’s Word never changes, and yet it is constantly relevant.” No other book and no other thing compares to the presence of Almighty God that we can come before every single day! Try to grasp that with me for a second. If you are a believer, God literally lives IN you. YOU are now the temple of the living God. That is enough reason to rejoice and be glad and overflow with joy!

Psalm 16:11 has gripped my heart for years. It says “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (emphasis mine) Yet again, here is another reminder of abundance. The word for abundance here means “fullness and satisfied.” In the presence of Jesus Christ, we have satisfactory joy. A joy that fills us up and overflows onto everyone and everything around us. We have His spiritual blessings, we have His presence, we have His gift of salvation, we have His truth. Friends, this is why today is the best day ever. Not because it is different, but because I am. God’s grace has already covered what is going to happen and His living Word has filled me up to overflow with joy.

Live in abundance today. You were made for it!

Gretchen