‍… When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

When we really want something or want to achieve something we are willing to go the extra mile. For the bachelor’s degree, we plod along for four years. For first place, we train for months. For a special vacation, we save every extra dollar.

Often we think...

if I only knew God’s will

if God would do this, I could do that

I wish I could make an impact for God

Our hearts know God wants us to mature and know Him better and share Him more, but our heads sometimes forget we are already blessed with the answers.

As with all things we strive for, the things of God require discipline, hard work, sacrifice. The question is:

Do we want His ways enough to commit and go the distance?

Many years ago, God made it very clear to me I would have an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and speak into a situation for Him. When that moment came, I froze, made excuses, and didn’t follow through. I was more worried about appearances than stepping out for Him.

To this day I remember the missed opportunity.

Discipline becomes wanting His will – more than mine.

Hard work becomes giving up my time – to spend time with Him.

Sacrifice becomes leaving the familiar, the comfortable, the easy – and doing the step of faith thing.

Once I felt the Lord saying, "Speak to the homeless lady". I wondered, "Speak what?" Lamely I walked to where her shopping cart was. She was mumbling, almost a foreign language. I sputtered out, "Do you have a Bible?" Suddenly she spoke clearly, "Why yes dear, I do, it’s right here, it goes everywhere with me. I’ve got all I need." Then she went back to mumbling, like I wasn’t even there.

Suddenly, I realized I did too. All I need has been deposited in me... just as promised.

Those moments are Holy Spirit moments... the deposit He put in us, to make us bold to offer hope and share love.

We are guaranteed some day an inheritance beyond putting a value on; will we expend our efforts for Him and let His love be our motivator?

I don’t want to be on the sidelines any longer watching God use others. I want to take the shaky steps and faith walk when He nudges me. Will you join me in exercising to get fit for His call? This exercise requires knowing His Word, praying unceasingly, fellowshipping with believers, and letting ‘yes’ to His call be our answer. It will be hard work, but the muscles developed will run the best race.

Oh Father, You love us so, so much You have marked us as Yours, deposited in us Your Holy Spirit, and guaranteed our inheritance. Let us be to the praise of Your glory. Lead us in disciplining our daily desire to be more for the things of You than of this world. Mold us and make us vessels ready to be used for things that do not pass away. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.