Here and Now

Here and now: Place and time; location and presence.

Welcome to your story.

Before the creation of the world, God authored your “here and now.” Similar to pre-season prep, your arrival to today is the accumulation of the circumstances you navigated and the experiences you traversed. So, how do you show up to today? If you’re similar to me, some days there’s momentum; other days, I can’t find my stride. If we’re honest, the latter tends to debilitate with doubt. Is God working? Can I be used by Him? Why do I feel unequipped? Surely, the narrative in your mind sounds all-too-well rehearsed.

Whatever your story may be up to today – perhaps a potent past scarred with regret or a long list of limitations filled with excuses of why you can’t–may you consider these two truths to remember that God still equips you.

God works in us

Circle back to today’s verse from Hebrews 13:21. Take note of the two ways that God acts: “May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.” Who does the equipping and producing? The same God Who saved you will not leave you on your own to figure out life. As Christ-followers, the Holy Spirit came to live inside you at the moment of conversion. Today, the Spirit works in you because the Spirit lives in you. It’s not rules and regulations, or the ever-striving effort for God’s approval. No, it’s continual heart transformation to look increasingly more like Jesus.

Here’s the question: Will you allow God to work in you?

The depth of your discipleship to Jesus is determined by surrender. Will you yield to the Spirit? Will you accept conviction and repent of sin? Listen to His voice? Take His way instead of the world’s way?

God works through us

God provides all you need, and in doing so, produces good things that please Him. The more He works in you, the greater He can work through you. Why? Personal transformation sparks public multiplication. More often than not, others notice on the outside what’s happened on the inside. You’re different. The fruit of the Spirit is more apparent. You’re more loving and joyful. Past strongholds aren’t there anymore and that longstanding wound to your heart was healed. The very act of telling others about what God is doing in you usually catalyzes His work through you as others hear and witness transformation in front of them.

You won’t be perfect. In fact, you will be opposed. You have an Enemy who is after your heart with ammunition to discourage, distract and defeat you. That’s part of any good story, right? As any great competitor would, you get back up after a bad play. Why? Because in your story, you’re fully equipped by a God that promises to work in you and through you – here and now.