Today’s Daily Bread ~ New Jeans

1 John 1:4 – We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete.

I believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be compared to a pair of my jeans.  Wait!  It’s not blaspheme!  Let me explain…

Before I do, I want to take a look at this verse.  I found it interesting that the Apostle John wrote, “so that our joy may be complete.”  Doesn’t he mean your joy? As in yours and mine?  While a few of the translations say “your,” indicating the joy of the reader, those most widely accepted by scholars agree that John is indicating that He is writing these words, spreading the Good News of the Gospel, so that his joy might be complete.  The Greek word, hémón (us, all present, company), leaves no room for doubt. 

As I was thinking and praying about this concept, God brought to mind a picture of my jeans.

I think many women share my tendency to spread the good news when we hear of a great sale.  When we’re the beneficiaries of it, we can’t keep it to ourselves.  For instance: a year or so ago I was perusing the clearance isles at Target when I came across an absolutely adorable pair of jeans.  Instead of a zipper or button fly, they lace up.  The rear pockets were adorned with a cute design made of little metal studs.  I have the lower body of a boy, so narrow hipped pants with a slight flair at the bottom create the curves I desire.  I checked the price tag, thinking if there was any way in the world they were less than twenty dollars I would snap them up instantly.  The tag hosted a cheerful, red sticker, proudly proclaiming the discount deal of $6.98.  With a loud WHOOP of joy (in my mind, not out loud) I tossed the jeans into my cart and nearly skipped to the checkout lane.

The next day at work I ran into the KSCS Promotion Director’s office (a fellow Target-lover and bargain-hunter).  “Cari!” I squealed, “what do you think of my new jeans??”  “So cute!” she replied, as a good friend does. “Where did you find them?”  I could scarcely contain my excitement, and didn’t really try.  “Target!!!  Not even seven bucks!”  The two of us excitedly prattled on about the greatness of Target, and our mutual love for the clearance rack.  With a smile of satisfaction on my face and joy in my heart, I walked back in to the studio.

When we receive good news, our instantaneous reaction nine times out of ten is to share it.  Mike listens with a bemused look on his face when I come home from the grocery store, crowing about fifty-cent soup or thirty-cent yogurt.  “Listen to what I did, baby!” I said just the other day, “I went to three different grocery stores to get in on all the sales!  Buy-one-get-one-free pork chops at Albertsons, ten-for-ten-dollar boxes of rice-a-roni at Tom Thumb, then milk, lunch meat and produce at Wal-Mart!” 

We do the same thing with promotions, parenting tricks that really work, and anything else that happens to fall under our good news umbrella.  How much more should we eagerly and enthusiastically share the Gospel?

Over the past year, I have seen the Holy Spirit work miracles in my life and the lives of those I love.  My mother-in-law is now attending church and doing a bible study.  My husband witnessed to a contractor, and the two of them had a spirit-filled conversation about the greatness of God.  My sister-in-law attended a Walk to Emmaus, and since then I’ve watched the love of Christ make changes in her life, too.  But it’s what He’s done in mine that drops me to my knees.

Two years ago I had what the world might see as a pretty perfect life ; an exciting job on a morning show in the fifth largest market in the U.S.  A house in the ‘burbs, a loving husband, a daughter, a son, a dog and a cat.  But I was miserable.  Drinking too much and worshiping too little.  More concerned with my outside appearance than the condition of my heart.  Since then, I’ve made a daily choice to surrender my will to His.  I’ve put down my unhealthy habits.  I seek Him in everything I do.  He has delivered me, and I cannot keep it to myself.  Why?  Because I’ve been in bondage, and I’ve tasted freedom.  And I want you to taste it, too.

I want you to know that God has not called you to a life of mediocrity and redundancy.  He has called you to a life of greatness!  He has empowered you with the Holy Spirit, and placed His hand of blessing on your head!  1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined what the Lord has prepared for those who love Him.’”  No eye has seen…no ear has heard…no mind has imagined.  Meditate on that for a moment.  You couldn’t even begin to imagine what God has up His sleeve for you.  Steven Spielberg and James Cameron could collaborate for a year and they still couldn’t envision God’s plan for you.  “For I know the plans I have you…” says the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11).  Only God.  And only if you surrender.  How can He put His plans in place when we are so busy chasing our own?

When was the last time you marveled at the way God moved in your life?  When was the last time you were so amazed by Him that you simply couldn’t contain it?  This is not some special thing reserved for bible-thumpers like me.  This is for YOU!  It’s what Jesus came to earth for, preached about, and died for.  There…is…more.

Psalm 119:1-2 – Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.  Happy are those who obey His decrees and search for Him with all their hearts.

Psalm 119:56 – This is my happy way of life: obeying your commandments.

Psalm 119:165 – Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.

Dear Heavenly Father, we get so excited to boast about the things of this world – new cars, new phones, new clothes, new whatever.  But those things have absolutely no value to You.  Please change our hearts so that the things that delight and excite You do the same for us.  Let us view life and stuff with a heavenly perspective.  God, we ask that You would help us to truly receive Your Holy Spirit.  Help us to truly surrender our will and our plans to You, so that You may put Your perfect plan in place.  We ask that You would give us patience, and remind us that You are always working for the good of those who love you (Romans 8:28), even when it looks like nothing is happening.  You are amazing, God.  Amaze us!  Show us Your glory, reveal Yourself to us!  Help us to see You everywhere we look.  Help us to hear Your voice and obey your commands.  We thank You so much for Your Son, through whom You’ve reconciled us to Yourself.  We love You so much.  It is in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that we pray.  Amen.