In 50 years from now when I look back on my life I will see a culmination of my days, of my moments. Avoiding the tendency to be overly restrictive with my time when I see the enormity of what needs to be done compared with the time available to do it tempered with the biblical importance of “buying up every opportunity because the days are evil.” To the Old Testament Jews there was no distinction between the sacred and the secular, it was all sacred. I feel a pull from the world I live in to separate the two, but inwardly I’m compelled to keep them joined. In a very normal and natural way, everything we do is for the Lord, and not in a manner in which we are trying to earn anything, that would be bondage and slavery. I’m reminding myself of the “hope to which He has called us” and whatever He has called us to do, whether it’s the ever so admirable job of a care-giver, what holy moments must be experienced by the one who cares for the elderly, or those who are unable to care for themselves. How warmed must the heart of the Father be when he sees such compassion poured out. Or maybe your vocation is defending the innocent or defending the cause of justice, or providing people with homes. I think it’s so important to remember Jesus was a carpenter and I like to ask Him what that was like, I like to imagine the sweetness of the beauty of the Divine that He experienced as he created beautiful pieces of furniture, or whatever it was he created. Maybe he created completely functional pieces, but I can bet they were top of the line quality! I’m reminded of the wonderful promise that I pray you not only believe but come to depend upon “For it is He Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness, to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness; He did it not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace, unmerited favor which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, eternal ages ago.” (2 Timothy 1:9) All this calling and purpose business isn’t simply for the good of us human beings, for our fulfillment and our contentment, because we can only find contentment in the One who is The Way, The Truth & The Life. We have been called with a calling because we were created on purpose by a God who is good and perfect and does all things well… Maybe our calling in life isn’t something mystical, maybe it’s very very natural, God did create the whole natural world. Whatever your calling is right now, today, I pray you experience the nearness of Christ as you courageously ask the questions and let go of the expectations that have kept His abundant life from dwelling deep inside of you. In closing I’d like to share a quote with you. The Lord is not only waiting on high to be gracious to us but He is speaking to us in the small things, in His still small voice. This isn’t about just about me doing what I’m passionate about, because honestly, given the right set of circumstances I can be passionate about many things! This is about the story of God and we each have a very important part in that story…
“That’s a micro-snapshot of what the biblical story is all about. It’s about God choosing to side with those much less than himself—you and me. And he did so, not because we did something to earn it, but because of his kindness. When someone significant chooses you, it causes his or her significance to be attached to you. This is God walking across the room in front of everyone and asking you to dance! He chose you. He wants to be with you. Getting to know him, his person—that’s what gives us the confidence that we can matter in this world. The apostle Paul said because of his encounter with Christ—because of his introduction into the Christ-story, we walked into life confident. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me,” he writes. “I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency” (Phil. 4:13 AMP).” – Ed Gungor
May the Words of Christ dwell richly in you, giving you insight into the deep things of God, in the way that He has created you and communicates with you.