Get That Monkey Off Your Back!

I was thinking about the average Christ-follower the other day and how many slip into the state of mediocrity. (Yes, I talk about this a lot.) The truth is, it is easy to allow.

Think about it. How many Christians really expect our incredible God to do something out of the ordinary through them? The mind-set of most folks is "God will use just about anyone in great exploits...but not me." If most everyone thinks like that...who's expecting to do great exploits?
I wonder if you ever simply think about God using you in powerful ways. Or do you think like most Christians. You just take life as it comes, and with a prayer thrown up here and there, you hope to make it through your cookie-cutter lifestyle of average Christianity.

As I was pondering this the other day, I got this image of the average "Joe" Christ-follower trudging through life with a big ole monkey on his back. What a sight! That's not all. That big stinking monkey was spouting of some annoying stuff!  Stuff like, "Give up!" "You can't do it!" "Why would God ever want to use you?" Let me answer that one. Because He thought you (yes, you) were worth giving it ALL for! And, my friend, he still does. You are the apple of His eye. (That means he likes you a whole bunch.) God not only loves you but He really, really LIKES you.

That screaming monkey was put there by you, perhaps by your family, and certainly our arch enemy, the devil. But the truth is, 2000 years ago Jesus paid the exorbitant price of Himself to make us worthy not only to approach Him, but also to live for Him. Living for Him is big. It means being used by Him. We don't serve an ordinary God. We serve the Creator of all! When Jesus gave Himself He made it possible for you to have a choice: live in mediocrity or live an extraordinary life! The truth is, a lot of "Joe and Jane" Christ-followers don't realize they have a choice. Now you do!  It is time to get that monkey off your back! Choose from this day forward to live BIG! Live for Jesus!

Listen to what Jesus says about those who truly believe in Him. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12) That came out of His mouth! Those who trust in Him will do the same works He did! And an even greater number of works because He returned to our Father and sent forth the power of the Holy Spirit. Talk about exponential power!

So get that monkey off your back! Stop listening to His lies! You can do it! There is no need to give up because you are more than a conqueror through Him! God wants to AND WILL use you mightily. Just trust Him and EXPECT to be used by Him!