I've actually thought a lot about it, especially over the last several years. Because of health issues, I have been nine years without a "formal" job. It's been a challenging journey and not only physically. I have to admit, at times, not having a place to go everyday and not contributing financially to our household has left me feeling a bit insignificant.
As I consider my journey and step back with a panoramic view of these nine years, there has been a reimagining of sorts. My expectations of my walk with Jesus and what my life with Him should look like has changed.
I remember pondering goals. Is my goal happiness? What about success? Where am I going? Do I have a plan? Should I take a job? Go back to school? Read a bunch of how to books? Much of my time has been spent trying to accomplish what I thought was important. I mean, I want my purpose to be significant, my work to matter. I've spent a lifetime trying to make a footprint in the world. I believe we all have. But how many times have you felt full on something new and exciting, only to find yourself empty on old and dull? And off you go, hungry again, looking for something new and exciting—and around and around you go.
Oswald Chambers wrote "The great concern of our lives is not the kingdom of God but how we are going to take care of ourselves to live. Jesus reversed the order by telling us to get the right relationship with God first, maintaining it as the primary concern of our lives, and never to place our concern on taking care of the other things of life." Does that mean I just ignore life? Of course not. But if I seek Him first and follow His lead then the pressure is off. God is not after my success, He's after my heart. Would I be happy with a great corporate career or vocation? Maybe. How about if I made a lot of money? Possibly. But to what end.
From one man he made every nation of man, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being‘. . . . Acts 17:26-28 NIV
God has a plan for us. A complete plan. I've had to ask myself, on many occasions, whether I am pressing toward God's plan, or my own, and then asking Him to join me. Most times for me, it's been the latter. I think it's safe to say that this is probably the case for most. Even with the best intentions and the purest dreams, our eyes seem to be focused on self and goals, and not on Jesus. What if? What if we fully trusted God's plan? What if we move in whatever direction He leads, no matter the outcome, and stop chasing the wind?
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Look closely, Paul is not talking about earthly riches, he's talking about knowing Jesus. God leaves the choice to the individual to chase whatever he chooses. We spend a lot of time trying to separate the spiritual and the natural, but separating them is impossible. To the Christian, the spiritual is natural.
I think of the pressing and straining it takes chasing earthly treasure. We spin round and round for what the world says is success. To have more, bigger, better. Yes, God asks us to work hard as if we are working for Him, but for what? What defines us? The hard work? The success? What's the goal? Worldly Significance? Comfort? Respect?
Our redemption story is laid out in Ephesians—It's a letter from Paul to Ephesus; and in wisdom he split it into two sections. In the first half we learn who we are in Christ; our identity; in the next, we learn how we walk; with integrity.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (vs 1:3 NIV)
Unlike the earthly blessings we seem to want so badly, heaven's blessings are forever. Grace changes us. Paul reminds us over and over again that we who believe are in Christ.
God chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. vs.1:4
In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— vs.1:5
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. . . . vs.1:7
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. vs.1:13
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. vs.1:13-14
Who we are and what we were meant for is not found in striving to become something or someone, it's found in Jesus. Paul lifts our eyes to see heaven's perspective. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Consider your own journey. What are you striving for? What is it that you want more of?
Join me next time as we continue chapter one of Ephesians in what’s been called “a prayer for spiritual wisdom."
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