We are taking a bit of a break from our Hurried to Purposeful series for a time of reflection over Easter. Enjoy this blog post by Pete Kuehni from our team here at DeliberateU.
It is rare to hear someone encourage you to be overwhelmed. More often than not we do our very best to avoid it! At times we can even start to feel overwhelmed because we are afraid of being overwhelmed.
However, I suggest there are times when a deep sense of overwhelm is not just a good thing – it is essential.
Although it wasn’t always this way, Easter now overwhelms me! I am more and more moved by the impact of what Jesus has done for you and me. When I enter into the profound implications of Jesus being born, living, dying, rising, and ascending, I am, at times, quite overwhelmed.
1. Easter overwhelms me with the promise of “life to the full”!
In John 10:10 Jesus declared that He came to bring life – life to the full! He came to break the chains of the evil one whose only agenda is to “steal, kill, and destroy”. In the midst of the press of leading yourself, your business, and your family there is LIFE TO THE FULL!
Question: Are you overwhelmed by the amazing reality of Christ offering you life to the full?
2. Easter overwhelms me with a fruitful life, not a performing life!
We are no longer slaves to the need to perform and “make things happen” at work and at home. Jesus reminds us in John 15:1 – 8 that His Father, the Gardener, is pruning you and me to become even more fruitful.
Question: Does the reality of Christ providing the path to a fruitful life overwhelm you?
3. Easter overwhelms me with the capacity to live life His way!
God grants us the gift to seek, choose and experience Him and His Kingdom way…..a way much different than the world’s (Matt 6:33). We know that, as we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”, He will supply what is needed. His “supply” may be different than our perception of what we need. Whatever it is, it will be His best!
Question: Are you overwhelmed this Easter by His gift to live life His Kingdom way?
4. Easter overwhelms me with hope in times of trouble!
In John 16:33 Jesus speaks a BOLD, LIFE-CHANGING TRUTH. The night before He goes to the cross, He reminds those closest to Him that things will be tough – really tough! His reminder also rings true for us. Although we crave comfort and convenience, we will experience troubled times.
However, He did not leave us without hope. He boldly calls us to take heart because He has overcome the world!
Question: In the middle of your troubles, are you overwhelmed by the hope of the Overcomer?
5. Easter overwhelms me with a deep sense of purpose and meaning!
Jeremiah 9:23-24 clearly declares our source of purpose and meaning. Operating with a deep sense of purpose will NOT BE FOUND in our…
- Wisdom
- Power
- Riches.
The deep sense of purpose and meaning for us as leaders is found in “understanding and knowing” that God is God.
Question: Are you overwhelmed by the reality of Jesus being the way to “truly know and understand” the One who made you?
A Deliberate Application:
- Find a spot to be still, to be quiet.
- As you reflect on this past Easter, what is your sense of “overwhelm” given who Jesus is and what He has done for you?
- In the quiet, invite Him to overwhelm you with His faith – His Hope – His love. This is work He longs to do.
- Who is God asking you to share this with?
- Sit back & enjoy this song by Big Daddy Weave called “Overwhelmed”.
I pray that you will be overwhelmed!!
