The Business of Heaven (Part 2): Origins Of A Successful Journey
Photo Courtesy of SoloTravelGoals
Disordered
It’s funny how certain things, even the smallest of things, can catch your attention at times. Take for instance the other day, while I was working out at the gym. In-between exercises, I looked up & saw a guy walking by with a message across the front of his shirt. In bold lettering it spelled out the words, “Self Made”.
The prideful part of me that often thinks, “if you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself”—thought it was a great slogan. Meanwhile, the sarcastic-Christian side of me laughed at the irony of being “self made”.
Though few of us wear the shirt, many of us wear ourselves out with a lifestyle that matches the slogan. Rather than operating according to God’s presence in our lives, we often push ourselves as if everything comes down to us. We let a “do-it-yourself” mentality push God out of the driver’s seat, and yet, find ourselves wondering where God is.
Disorder: a lack of order or an ailment that affects the function of mind or body.
That’s what this mindset is. It’s a deviation from God’s rightful place in our life. A constant temptation to abandon the natural order. Or as the book of Hebrews might label it, the sin that so easily entangles.
So how do we untangle this mess? How do we stop settling for this counterfeit way of living, and instead, put things back in order? Philippians 1:6 (NIV) reminds us of our starting point:
“…he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
There are times when we lose sight of where God’s leading us. There are times when we lack the will to keep moving forward in faith. That’s what makes the truth of this verse indispensable.
It’s a reminder that the success of our journey has a starting & ending point. It was by God’s Spirit that His Good work began, and it’s by God’s Spirit that His Good work will end.
God’s calling isn’t along a path that’s self-made; His calling is along a path that’s Spirit-led. His Will is done when we—
let Him lead.
reestablishing order
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.”
It’s one thing to know you’re getting tripped up, it’s another to know where you’re getting tripped up. Psalm 139 is one of the most honest ways to pray & ask God to reveal those specific areas in your life.
In this context we’re asking God, “where am I depending more on myself than I am on you?”. We’re asking Him to reveal any place we’re trying to take matters into our own hands. And above all else, we’re giving God permission to put things back in order.
1) Misplaced Trust
One of the greatest characteristics of God is His willingness to give. Every breath, every material blessing, every ounce of energy—are all good gifts from God. In the Old Testament, we find a man gifted with other-worldly strength.
Samson was called & set apart by God to be a defender of God’s people. God entrusted Samson with great strength, but over time, Samson put too much trust in the strength he’d been given.
Instead of respecting God’s blessings, he began to revere them. The gifts were held in higher esteem than the One who gave them, and so began his downfall. Anytime we put our trust in the wrong things—
we find ourselves in the wrong place.
Like Samson, we have a tendency to trust in our own strength. This is a recipe for losing battles we were meant to win. Instead of gaining ground, we shrink the capacity of our God-given calling. Psalm 20:7 (ESV) says:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
As God’s people, we have to maintain a healthy respect for our blessings. Enjoy them, use them, and always give credit to the One who gave them. And most importantly—
Keep your trust in God.
2) Unhealthy Roots
In the Parable of Talents found in Matthew Ch. 25, Jesus shares an insightful story. There’s a master who entrusts his great wealth (talents) to 3 different stewards, each according to their ability. We’re told the master goes away for a long time & returns to settle accounts with each steward.
The first 2 stewards each double the talents they’ve been given. Whereas the third steward simply returns what he’s been entrusted with. Given his decision to not produce anything, he offers the following excuse to the master:
“…Master, I knew you to be a hard man…so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours…”
The steward gives a detailed justification for his inaction, all based on the “master’s character”. But the master’s not buying it. In fact, he essentially tells the steward, “if you really knew me, you would have done something entirely different”.
Jesus goes on to tie this story into the Kingdom of God. And one of several points Jesus highlights is the importance of truly knowing the Lord. Because the way we see God—
Determines the way we live.
When you look at the way you’re living, ask yourself honestly, whose interests am I protecting? If the “fruit” of your life is centered around protecting yourself, then your “root” vision of God isn’t right.
God’s desire is for you to have a healthy relationship with Him. That all begins with how you see Him, it starts at a root-level. Remember, a healthy root produces healthy fruit. Therefore:
“Let your roots grow down into him [Jesus], and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught…”
through you
”Religion is man’s attempt to get to God…Christianity is God’s attempt to get to man.”
Jimmy Evans | The Tipping Point Podcast
Every day is an opportunity to take another step in the journey of faith in Christ. You can strive to do things your way, and watch as life gets to you. Or you can surrender to His Way, and watch as God gets to you. And when you allow God to get to you—
he’s faithful to work through you.
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today’s Takeaways
God’s Calling is along a spirit-Led path.
Where are you depending more on yourself than Him?
a healthy root (vision) produces healthy fruit (life).