Not Mine, but Yours

Think back to when you were a young child. What did you dream of your future being like? Where did you imagine living? What career did you imagine having? What did you imagine happening?

I don't know about you, but when I was about three and a half years old I was certain that by the time I turned 16 (because as we all know that's so old to a small child) I would be married to a famous country singer, living in a gigantic castle on a Hawaiian beach with my five children, pet giraffe, and 2 dogs. As for my profession, I was forever going to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast and have talking furniture as friends.

As I get older, I find myself thinking about life in a different way! It is so easy for me to get caught up in planning the direction that I want for my life and dream of it all working out perfectly, leaning on what our society defines perfection as: being thin and fit, having a six figure salary, two perfect children that never disobey, driving the most luxurious car... and the list goes on. Unfortunately, we're human and our goals and dreams can fall through because of the missing pieces. What I seem to forget too often is that God already has all the details worked out for my life and he has already created a plan that fits me perfectly. He offers that to each and every one of us.

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2(MSG & NIV)

His will for us is truly perfect and is not of or from this world, but is from the the Creator who is good and holy, and wants to give us the best. We definitely don't deserve the best, but God wants us to experience a life that pleases Him and to give us the opportunity to eternally praise Him for it all. God's will for Jesus' life was to define what perfect truly is, give us the example to follow, and send him as our Savior so we could forever live in His kingdom.

Announcements

• It's not too late to bring boxes of crayons in for our Echo Mission Project in partnership with Project Shoestring! These boxes of crayons will go to children in Mexico, India, and South America who can't afford school supplies. Just bring crayons in to either Jungle Heights or Elevate this weekend.
• Meet Me at the Manger! HD is getting ready for our 2009 Christmas play. If your children 1st - 6th grade are interested in trying out, an informational meeting will be held Sept 2nd at 6:30pm. Visit our kiosk in the lobby this weekend if you have any questions.
• We have so many Bibles, jackets, bags, and other items in our HD Lost & Found, that we’re needing to clean them out! If you think you’ve lost a belonging while at HD, be sure to check the Lost & Found in Jungle Heights by August 30. All unclaimed items after August 30 will be donated.
• Check out HD's family devotional guide at: www.radiantchurch.com/children. Click on the Family Devotionals button and you'll discover 30 days of Bible readings and activities for your family!
• We are excited to grow our Children’s Special Needs Ministry! If you would like to participate in sharing your ideas and hearing Radiant’s vision for this unique ministry, please join us Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. in Elevate! Food and childcare will be provided.