Mohala Maui (Petals Unfold on Maui)Sample

Mohala Maui 5 (Galatians 2:20)

What do you want to accomplish in life? Is there some big dream you have?

Maybe it’s a secret that you have never been bold enough to share with anyone…

Many years ago, I made a “dream list” of things I wanted to do in my life—pretty big things… ha-ha; even my wife has never seen it—I am too embarrassed!

Most people hope to do something significant in their life—a book, a song, an idea, an organization, a change, a contribution of some sort that brings hope and maybe makes the world a better place. But many people make a mistake here…

My next-door neighbor’s son, Travis, who was the ring boy at my wedding in Makawao, grew up to shoot the all-Hawaii record ulua. It was pretty cool, and everybody knew about it because it was documented on TV--not just one of those fish tales (which I have told plenty of). But you know what? There is always a bigger ulua, right? Everything we accomplish is temporal; in the end, it will all be forgotten, it will all burn…all those ideas, inventions, and world records, in the end, do not mean much; in the end, they disappear.

“Wait!” You may be thinking…“That isn’t encouraging! That’s no way to start a New Beginning! Is everything going to burn?” But don’t worry! Today’s Scripture is going to give us serious hope!

It is short and potent, so take a minute and read it slowly…

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20a)

There is perhaps no more radical truth about life in the whole Bible than this simple statement, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is the key to your entire future and the present. There has been an exchange. It is not you and your life; the fact is, you have no life. He is the life, and He is now your life. Does that sound strange or like you have lost something? If so, you are getting it wrong!

There are two wonderful things that this means for you.

First, is that you are never alone. There is never a reason to be lonely! You are indwelt by the most amazing, interesting, and wonderful Person par none. It is better than a friendship, better than a marriage, better than a honeymoon, for the rest of forever!

Second, Christ in you means all that He is in you, all His potential and all of His power. Wow! Why would we think that we lost something? With Christ in us, we have gained the infinite!

I like to think of Mary. You know, The Mary. Before Jesus, what was she? A nobody—just a poor, uneducated, insignificant girl who lived in a crummy town. Nazareth today is nothing special. But when Mary lived there, it was considered the dumps. She had no future, just a nameless poor girl struggling to keep food in her stomach and then, in a few years, be forgotten forever. But something happened…

A new life came into Mary—literally, The Christ living in her. And that simple fact changed everything. Mary brought Christ into this world; she brought salvation to all humankind! And because of that, thousands of years later, you have been blessed…big time! Today, Mary is perhaps the most esteemed woman, if not person, who ever lived.

Think again of the potential of Christ living in you—His life flowing through those veins…The Alpha and Omega, The Almighty, The Great I AM!

What might happen if you simply yielded to Him and spoke those most famous words of Mary: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” What might happen if you allowed Him to do as He pleased?

Now, that is the beginning of something incredible. That is the beginning of your real dreams…

Aloha oe. Thank you for existing.

Dr. Andy