Embracing Life

What does it mean to embrace something?
Embrace does mean to hug, but it can also mean to surround or enclose something.  To make use of something, it can even mean to welcome and take advantage of something willingly. 
     So when I say we should embrace life, I mean to choose to willingly take whatever the situation and be who you are in it. 
But in order to do this you must first know who you are.
You are a child of the Most High God!
You are totally, completely and unconditionally loved by Him!
You are filled to overflowing with His Spirit!
It doesn't matter how you feel, this is the truth!
And it is because this is true that you may embrace life, wherever you find yourself and whatever circumstance you may be in.
Choose to be alive. 
This may sound obvious to say but many wake up in the morning wishing they hadn't.
Not matter what is going on in life, choose to live in it.
Be thankful to be alive - no matter the circumstances.
Choose to serve.
Just as Joseph did when he was unjustly imprisoned, he chose to serve and by doing so all the glory and exultation went to God.
     True joy comes in choosing to live.
Does this mean I have to like the circumstances I am in?
No.  It just means that you see yourself as God sees you even in the circumstances that you find yourself in.
     Avoid the "I don't have" mentality..."I don't have the education, or I don't have the money, ability, patience, etc...
The biblical mentality is "This is what I have and God is developing me.  I can trust Him that I will be, do or have whatever is needed to fulfill His purpose.
And I am to embrace all there is and to be thankful for such a faithful God.
This isn't just making the best of a bad circumstance.
By choosing to be "there", wherever "there" is. and by recognizing that God is there with me in that situation I can embrace the moment. He isn't just watching me from afar. Distant and unable or unwilling to help.
He is my strength.  He is my potential.
What I mean is that it is in Him that I have the potential to live out His purpose here to the very fullest.  Realizing that within me is His mighty power. I am weak...now He can be strong.
Joseph didn't dwell on all he'd lost.  Yes, he was sad and mourned and was heartbroken for the loss of his family and freedom but he didn't stay there, he looked at where he was and embraced it...This...This is reality now and this is the reality that matters.
He kissed the chains so to speak. 
Did he want to be there? NO!  But he recognized that he wasn't alone in his circumstances, God was with him and he was given the abilities he needed to be a blessing and serve and in-so-doing God received glory and adoration.
     We can live in the reality of Christ in us.
Ask God "What beauty are you going to make out of this mess?  What are you up to in all this?"
Then let Him show you His dreams for you.