|
|
|
|
Faith. Purpose. Relevance. |
|
|
Welcome, last month we talked about Life, Divine life – what it can be to us and how to make good use of it. It was basically about receiving. This month we’ll be looking at the other aspect of it – the giving part; and I must warn you that there may be some dying in your life by the time you are through (at least that’s my prayer). "Oooh, that’s interesting" I guess so too, but I’m not taking you down the stony paths of martyrdom and I’m most definitely not talking about you needing to die for others. What we’ll be discussing is going to be um… more down-to-earth. You see, there is a new revelation that’s getting into the mentality of today’s Christian; it’s the revelation of the "Purpose Doctrine". It’s not actually new but I find its impression more evident now than was usually the case, especially among us youths. This is a good thing really and is actually the cry of my heart. Our main thrust this month however, is to look at a certain aspect of it which can be misapplied. Now I guess that by now we have discovered that "Every person is a solution to a problem". We exist because there is a need to be met. Part of our purpose for being born, apart from being the pleasure of our Creator and for communion with Him, is also to serve as runners of the business of this earth. No matter how you approach it, no matter how you look at it; regardless of your background, temperament, or physical makeup, you are here to solve a problem, (Paraphrased from Mike Murdock’s The Assignment). If you read the above paragraph carefully you’ll see the subjective role I placed the individual. I said the individual is a solution to a problem, not the solution. The individual is not the focus, he’s not the main event, he’s not the summary of the plot, the climax of the story, the Thing, the Messiah. He’s just a channel, a vessel, an instrument, nothing more. Isn’t it interesting that just when we start comprehending our position, role and rights in Christ, -just when we break the spirit of inferiority in our hearts- the enemy deftly takes us to the other end of the spectrum? It’s not that we get proud or something, we just see things wrongly. For example, a lady begins to understand that she is called to evangelize through songs; she begins to work on her talents, starts developing herself, etc. But gradually, (and happening ever so subtly), her focus then shifts from the individual souls she’d be bringing to Christ to the large crowds she’d be enchanting with her voice, to the sold-out concerts, the screaming fans dying to have her autograph, blah…blah…blah. She doesn’t stop composing inspiring songs; no, not at all; but the fact is she has forgotten the purpose of her calling. Many of us have become so involved with ourselves- our part in the picture- that we find it hard to give out. Many of us need to go back and take another look at the fine lines of our God-inspired visions. Agreed it is a natural tendency of our fallen nature to always put focus on the self. But Romans 12|:2 says we should not [let our] behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind. (Basic English Bible) And if we don’t continue renewing our mind in this respect we will eventually be super giants that are not yielding commensurate results. Yes, souls do get saved, lives do get touched, families do get restored, etc; but the harvest will not be as bountiful as they should be. Remember the son of Kish The book of 1 Samuel gives us an account of a calling that went off track. The purpose of Saul’s calling was explicitly stated by God Himself when He told Samuel to anoint Saul. To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. 1 Samuel 9:16 But a few chapters later, we find Saul setting up a monument in honor of himself, (15:12). Is it any surprise then that in chapter 17, when a soldier of the Philistines defied the God of Israel, Saul was nowhere to be found? Is it not the same Saul that was anointed to "save [God’s] people out of the hand of the Philistines"? Burning the Yoke So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who [was] plowing [with] twelve yoke [of oxen] before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. Selfishness is not the only reflection of this mentality; it also comes in the form of protectionism. Some of us have lofty, exciting dreams that enthuses us only as far as it doesn't put our current plans in jeopardy. This can come in the form of our Family, our work, Conflicting ambitions, Etc. Like Elisha, you should seriously consider burning your yoke. "You People and your stuff..." There may be someone reading this piece that really doesn't see how this applies to him (or her). You really are not about to be bothered about all this spiritual humanitarianism. As far as you are know, all your goal and target in life is to make it big, (whatever that means), all that your currently overworking brain should be thinking about is how to leave school with Honours clinch that job with that multinational oil firm, get married to that high school flame, and build that duplex, nothing more, (did I forget to mention the All New Mercedes W211 E- class? Well, that too). Your highest selfless ambition, (that is if there is one, is to take care of your extended family, - which is actually a responsibility not necessarily a calling). If your thinking patterns flow like this - and I'm afraid a good deal of Born-Again Christians think like that- then you really need to get a life, (no pun intended). You are not here simply to perpetuate the human race, and most definitely you aren't here to indulge yourself. Do yourself and humanity a favor, and get to fulfill your God-given, infinitely-more-rewarding, equally-as-exciting destiny. And for those of us who already know it, (or at least have an idea of what it is), don't loose focus of what you are called to do. Remember the son of Kish.
God Bless.
|
|
Copyright (c) 2003 Greg's Faith Web |
