One of the deepest desires of my heart is to have an intimate relationship with God.  I long to become the woman God created me to be, living my life in such a way that people see His light and life reflected within me. I want to cultivate such a close relationship with God that the fruit of the spirit is evident in my life.  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galations 5:22-23

I don’t even begin to come close to any of these ‘fruits’ – just ask my family!

I identify fully with Henri Nouwen when he writes:

“God is the one who calls me Beloved, and I have a desire to express to others how I try to become more fully who I already am”.

Too much of my time is taken up with guilt, worry and fear.

I want to be set apart and used by God.  To be able to witness to the people I come in contact with about His great love for us. To be part of the collective “we” spoken about in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”.

Because I am a person, who in the natural, has very little sense of self-worth I need to continue trusting on a daily basis that “God, who began the good work within me will keep right on helping me grow in His grace until His task within me is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns”. Philippians 1:6

“Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created”.1
My prayer for each one of us is that we may find our purpose here on earth and that we would grow into the people God created us to be.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could live our lives as follows:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid into heaven – a glass of wine in one hand, strawberries in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and shouting, ‘Woo hoo, Lord – what a ride!” (Unknown)

1.  Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest