Out of the Starting Blocks

We’ve crossed over into a brand new year — 2017. As I was praying while preparing my heart to write this first story of the year, I asked the Lord what He would want me to share with each of you. He said, “Tell them I love them. Tell them I’m not sitting up in heaven with a big stick waiting for them to do something wrong. Tell them my heart is FULL of love and mercy for them and that I want to walk with them in this new year.” That’s not what had been running through my mind the last few days as I contemplated what to write. I had a different idea; it was more about setting our sights high and looking ahead with anticipation for the days ahead. I may write something about that soon but I knew in my heart that this Word that Father God shared with me was for YOU as you come out of the starting blocks of 2017. “YOU ARE LOVED.” The God of the universe, our Creator, Abba Father, loves YOU! Unconditionally! I think this is the greatest word that could ever start off your New Year! Recently, I’ve been hearing the words “enlarge your capacity to receive.” I believe that is in a lot of areas but I know it includes enlarging our capacity to receive love. Jonathan Cahn — named one of the most influential men in the last 40 years, which included Billy Graham (according to Charisma Magazine) — tells a story called “Infinity in a Jar.” In it, his teacher showed him a little clay jar. He asked Jonathan the question: “Can that which is little contain that which is big?” Jonathan replied with a “no.” Once again, his teacher asked him, “Can that which is finite encompass that which is infinite?” And once again, Jonathan replied, “No.” However, his teacher showed him that it can. The teacher removed the cap and said that indeed it could if it was an open vessel, going on to explain that it could contain the blowing of the wind, the downpour of rain, and even the flowing of the river. Albeit, it may take forever for the river to be contained in that small vessel, the principle remains the same. As long as the vessel remains open, it can contain the infinite, which is much bigger than its finite self. The same is true for you and me! As we open ourselves up to contain MORE of God, we will receive MORE of God. The infinite love and mercy of God can be contained in the “container” of our lives if we will just open our hearts and minds to it! It is ever-flowing from the Throne Room of God. One of my most favourite hymns of all time is “The Love of God.” The lyrics speak of His timeless and tireless love for all. I especially enjoy the third stanza: “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade, to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.” What a picture of His endearing and enduring love. As we walk through the first few hours and days of this fresh new start, let’s open our hearts just a little bit more (or a whole lot more) and receive His love! May the fullness of His love fill your heart right now as you choose to enlarge your capacity to receive. All of Heaven is cheering for you! On your mark, get set, ready...GO! Get a strong start out of the blocks for 2017 and see where God will lead you this year! It’s going to be your BEST YEAR YET! “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.” Lamentations 3:22, 23