Return of the Jedi (Mark Hamill, 1983)

Okay, so I'm not a Jedi. But, I had to think of some title w/ a Welcome Back message. Yes, Sassy Girl has done it again...

I disappeared from the blog world. But, never fear, life is good! God is great! I've been spending a lot of time in the Word and just reflecting on life. It's brought about a revival in me and a return to what's truly important in my life: Jesus! It's helped me realize that I want to be a Jedi Jesus Girl! Don't worry. I'm not going to change the name of this blog. But, I may have to add a subtitle.

So, what's a Jedi Jesus Girl?

She draws near to God.
She has accepted Christ as her Savior and has been brought near through His blood. Her soul thirsts and longs for the Lord as the deer pants for the water. She doesn't settle for the mediocre Christian life, but strives to excellently worship and serve the Lord with all her heart, all her mind, and all her soul! (1 Ch. 16:11; Psa 42:1; Deut. 4:29, 6:5; Eph. 2:13)

She is full of Faith!
Not only does she believe in God, she's crazy enough to believe Him! She knows that EVERY word from the mouth of God is truth. It is HIS unchanging unwavering truth--not man's relative truth--that sets us free. The Word of God is hidden deep in her heart to hold her from sin. (Psa 119:11; John 8:32, 17:17)


She's powerful!
This girl walks in the power and authority of Christ. She can say "Move" to a mountain and it will move. Like Jesus (because His spirit lies in her), she can cast out unclean spirits, speak healing & peace, and reclaim everything the enemy tries to take from her. (Deut. 11:24; Matt. 17:20; Luke 4:36)

She walks in the Spirit!
Fully equipped in the armor of God and operating in the fruit of the spirit, a Jedi Jesus girl lays down selfish lusts and desires. She no longer majors in the minor insignificant things of life. For, she has crucified her flesh and knows that the abundant life is not just about the tangible. It's about those intangible attributes and blessings promised in the Word of God. Daily, she prays to the Lord seeking more than just blessings & answers to her problems, she prays to grow closer to the Lord and hear His voice. She operates in a spirit of prayer that isn't limited to her kneeling down for a few moments a day. (Rom. 8:26; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 6:11-18)

She obeys the Lord!
Even if she doesn't understand where the Lord is taking her, a Jedi Jesus girl, follows the Lord. She obeys Him, recognizing that it's through obedience that she will grow and be blessed. More than that, she knows that her obedience is the ultimate sign of her love for the Lord and belief in who He is! She's moved beyond the lip service of having a theology that does not match her reality. (Deut. 12:28, 28:1-2; John 14:15, 15:10)

Let's go into that land...the land of the Jedi Jesus Girls!!

Great Expectations (Ethan Hawke, Gwenyth Paltrow, 1998)

I have a good life. The bills are paid. My marriage is stronger than ever. We have food, clothing, and shelter. My business is taking off! In short, I am content. Yet, I'm discontent. I realize that I must never become complacent with a "good life." My earnest desire must be: The "Best" Life. No, this is not about being rich! It's about desiring whatever the "exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think," life, is for me. The Bible says we can have those things, according to the power that works in us (Eph. 3:20). When, I think about that power in me being the same power that raised Christ from the dead, the potential for my life is mind blowing.

Because of this, it's vital that I live each day to the fullest...that I redeem the time, and walk worthy of the call of Christ on my life. The world calls me to mediocrity or to do whatever makes me feel good. However, that is rarely the path that will lead to excellence. Sometimes, the road to the best life calls one to deny themselves. It's not enough to just go through the motions of life--barely getting by. I want you and I to walk in every blessed, good, and perfect thing, that the Lord has in store for us. A mediocre life is not enough! Let's desire excellence!

The Lord is just waiting to give us all that He has planned for us. But, we must first operate in obedience to Him and strive everyday to know Him more. I am recommitting today (and everyday) to walk that out in my life. I don't want a life full of the pursuit of "things" or people pleasing. My goal is to focus on those eternal things that will last far beyond this life. Jesus has so much peace, power, joy, wisdom, and strength for all of us. He can take our imperfections and "average" lives, then mold them into something beautiful! He will bestow on us a crown of beauty instead of ashes (Isa. 61:3).

So what, if your life isn't all you want it to be. It's not too late. You can choose today to be excellent! Just maybe, the Lord's waiting for you to choose excellence instead of the mundane mediocrity so prevalent in our world.

Col. 1:10; 3:24-24; 4:5