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Topic: ZEST (10/01/15)
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TITLE: When the delight of God overtakes me | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maretha Retief
10/07/15 -
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As a little girl, facing many obstacles I never asked for, yet leading me to make a decision that would change the course of my life…accepting Jesus as my Saviour as there was no other way that I could see myself facing the next obstacle that might cross my path.
Little did I know at the time, that the day when I knowingly invited Jesus into my heart, was a decision that has been anticipated by God for a long time, but He patiently waited for me to be ready. He was excited and eager for me to become His child—a decision that lead to the angel choirs of heaven to rejoice and the armies of heaven to prepare for the battle to keep my safe in His protection, as from that moment I became one to be reckoned for.
I always thought it is because of what I think is right that leads me to make good decisions in life, and yes, partly, that might be true, but I realised it is because of the desires God has for me that prompts me to do the good things I would never have done otherwise.
I encounter blessings because God is good to me. He wants to bless me. He rejoices every time I choose Him above the temptations of this world. When God looks at me, the pure joy of His heart reflects through His eyes that embraces my entire being. How can I not have zeal for Him as He delights in me?
God’s passion for me encourages me to walk in love with others. I can climb mountains and turn obstacles into stepping stones with His presence and zeal that fills my being—knowing I am never alone. I am cared for, loved, delighted in and I matter to Him.
It is true that the Bible says, “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Because of His passion towards us, we are enabled to accomplish what we would not be able to do in and of ourselves. It is His love that enables us to delight in Him as He gives us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).
People are lead to the Lord for different reasons, for me it was physical disabilities and the challenges that came along with that, for you it might be something else, maybe even the goodness of God that you experienced through someone else. It does not matter what prompts a person to make that wonderful decision, but today I believe, it is decision you make based on a desire God has placed in your heart from the first breath you took. A desire that becomes more urgent for you to meet the more you encounter God’s passion for you. A decision that follows from knowing; God is zealous for you.
So now, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”. (Romans 12:11, NIV)
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All the best.
God bless~
There were several nice independant points written about though.
Some of your sentences were a bit complex and could be tightened up some. For example:
Your first line could be tightened like this: Although the 11th of March, 1995, started out like any other day, it ended up becoming the day Jesus wrote my name in the Registry of Heaven. He promised to walk with me for the rest of my life.
Although it's not perfect, I hope it shows you what I mean. Not only did it cut it almost 20 words, it also turned passive sentences to active ones and became two sentences, which changed up the pacing a bit.
I think you definitely handled the topic in a great way. I also liked that you showed the topic without using the topic word. That's not easy to do, but often those are the most powerful stories. I believe anyone who reads this will be touched and inspired by your words. Nice job.