Toooo Infinity . . . and Beyond!

infinity
Dr. Tommy Boland Cross Community Church Senior Pastor

As we launch out into a new year together, let’s begin with a vision that transcends the details of daily living. Let us pause together for a moment in the presence of our Lord and consider all that He has planned for us in 2022.

The title for this month’s message recalls the iconic words from Buzz Lightyear in the beloved movie “Toy Story.” If you are anything like me, when you hear the first part of the statement — “Toooo Infinity . . .” — you immediately follow up with, “and Beyond!”

Infinity is Everything

At this point you may be thinking, “OK, I know the line from the movie, and I can repeat it without thinking twice, but what in the world does this have to do with my walk with Jesus?” It’s a fair question. The answer is . . . Everything! 

 

Walk by faith and not by sight

Buzz Lightyear is calling you to cast a vision that lies well beyond the temporal and the earthly. Buzz is a spaceman, you know, and his words should inspire us to expand our imagination beyond what we can see in the natural and look all the way to the supernatural. I hear a clear call in Buzz’s words for us to walk by faith and not by sight throughout 2022. We are to look to the heavens — we are to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) — and expect the unexpected from the mighty hand of our God. 

If we are continually looking over our shoulders at a past littered with the mistakes we’ve made, the missteps we’ve taken and the messes we’ve created, we will miss the forward focus that Jesus is calling us to use. The plan and purpose Jesus has for us goes beyond our wildest imagination. How do I know that? Because He tells us so! Ephesians 3:20 gives glory to “Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Our finite minds cannot begin to plumb the depths of the infinite blessings God in Christ has in store for us today, tomorrow, and beyond . . . throughout all eternity.

 

No limits

And that is why it is so important to schedule daily alone time with Jesus. Sacred Scripture commands us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). When we miss that precious time with our Lord, the inevitable difficulties, disappointments and defeats that are part of life on this side of the grave can cause you to doubt His love and to dislocate from His leading. You shrink the vision of both your Lord and your life, which limits what you will allow Jesus to do for you. Unmet expectations begin to unravel the fabric of your faith. Doubt begins to corrupt your confidence. Restlessness begins to torment your tranquility. Sadness begins to sour your joy. At that point, you have allowed Satan to limit the work of the One who has no limits in your life. If the enemy can get you to doubt the only One who only speaks Truth, he has achieved a victory over you. 

infinityBut this is not for you! “Come to me,” our Lord Jesus Christ promises, “all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We receive this assurance simply because we are disciples of Christ. And He promises to fill us with “an inexpressible and glorious joy,” even though we may be currently experiencing “grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6, 8). And all the rest and all the joy that are given to us in this life are only a glimpse of what our Lord has in store for us in the life to come. Make no mistake, no matter how good things might be on this side of the eternity, the best is yet to come. To infinity . . . and beyond!     

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! 

 

Dr. Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach (www.thecrosscc.org). He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. For more articles by Dr. Tommy Boland, visit goodnewsfl.org/tommy-boland.

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