Tell the Story

"In the future, when your children ask you,

'What do these stones mean?'

tell them that the flow of the Jordan

was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

When it crossed the Jordan,

the waters of the Jordan were cut off.

These stones are to be a memorial 

to the people of Israel forever."

Joshua 4:6b-7

Osmosis is the process by which molecules of a liquid pass through a semi-permeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one.  The result?  Equal concentration on both sides of the membrane.  This process is spontaneous and requires no input of energy.

While this process is useful in science, it doesn't work when it comes to relationships.  Sometimes, I tend to think that just because someone spends time with me, they know what I know, perhaps by osmosis.  Instead of making the effort to tell the story of how God has worked in my life, I assume they already know.  This is especially true for my children.

The truth is, however, osmosis is only possible in biology and chemistry, not in relationships!  Therefore, it is important that I intentionally and purposefully work to leave a legacy.  Just as Joshua was called to set up a lasting memorial that would initiate conversations about the greatness of the Lord and His mighty works in the lives of His people, I must do the same.  God has called me to tell the story of His power at work in my life.

Stones of Remembrance

The journal rests on my nightstand beside the bed.  Each night I record what God has done in my life.  Sometimes, it's an answered prayer.  Other times, it's an unexpected blessing.  Many times it's the little ways He cares for me.  When I'm feeling discouraged, I can pick up that Stones of Remembrance Journal and flip through the pages, reminding myself of the mighty acts of the Lord that I have witnessed in my life.  Before long, my heart soars as I see with my own eyes what God has done, giving me hope to believe I'll witness the same tomorrow.

Life can be hard and my memory is so fleeting.  While difficulties easily overwhelm me, God's provision, care and protection often escape my consciousness.  Since my fleshly mind tends to focus on the negative, I must make the effort to refocus my thought pattern, training my mind to think about what God can do instead of what I can't.

Unfortunately, I am not wired for positive thinking.  Instead, I'm naturally inclined to fear, anticipating the worst scenario that could happen for every situation.  God knows my fondness for fear.  He knows me better than I know myself.  Since He understands the way I'm wired, He has left a message for me in the pages of His Word.  If I'm paying attention, I'll heed the warning and take the advice given.

In the same way that the people of Israel needed a lasting memorial to trigger their memory of the greatness of God, I need the same.  I won't naturally keep the Lord's power and sovereignty in mind when I've been diagnosed with the unthinkable, or am plagued with excruciating pain, or feel like I could die of a broken heart.  No, I must build my own memorial designed to prompt thoughts of God's great plan for my life that will spur on my faith in times of trouble.

If I want to leave a lasting legacy of God's goodness for others to see, I must set up my own stones of remembrance memorial.

Eyes of Faith

I couldn't believe we were looking at the same thing.  Where I saw an old, decrepit piece of junk, my husband saw a treasure that needed to be saved.  Not surprisingly, I was ready to set the old boom box out at the curb for trash pickup but my beloved wanted to hang onto the stereo like some kind of prize.  What does he see that I'm missing? I thought.

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  What one may see as a field of beautiful wildflowers, another sees as a pasture full of weeds.  We perceive according to what is important to us.

Therefore, if I want to notice all the good that God is doing in my life, I must put on eyes of faith.  Moses used his eyes of faith when he fled Egypt, believing that God had gone before him even though He couldn't be seen with the naked eye.  (Hebrews 11:27)  

Abraham also looked through eyes of faith as he raised the knife above his one and only son, believing God would somehow preserve the life of the one through whom the promise would come.  (Hebrews 11:17-19)

Another man who chose to see through eyes of faith was Noah.  He believed in God enough to build a huge sea-going vessel in the midst of dry land.  (Hebrews 11:7)  Noah's view of God's sovereignty was greater than any doubt he may have felt at such an odd command.

Today is the day for me to utilize my eyes of faith, choosing to look for evidence of God's work in my life.  In this way I will leave a type of memorial which can hearten those whose faith has grown dim.

If I want to leave a lasting legacy of God's goodness for others to see, I will need to look at the world around me through eyes of faith.

Quick to Tell

Once I've set up some kind of memory-trigger to remind myself of God's amazing deeds and have donned my eyes of faith, I'm equipped to give testimony to His greatness.  While I may naturally talk about all that is difficult in my life, I can learn to share what I've discovered about God and His goodness through my observations.  This kind of story-telling will work to spur on the faith of those who are listening.

Once I commit to telling this kind of story, I will find that my lips will often speak of God's amazing grace.  Words that give testimony to His great love for His people will easily spill from my mouth.  Testimonies of His provision and protection will spring forth from my heart and mind, making their way to the ears of others.

I will find that once I get on a roll, it will be hard for me to talk about anything without including words of praise for God and His goodness.  It will become habit for me to speak of His kindness and care.  Soon, others will catch on that the Lord is worthy to be praised and may start telling their own stories of faith.  Before I know it, there will be legacies of God's greatness left all around.

If I want to leave a lasting legacy of God's goodness for others to see, I must be quick to tell the story of God's work in my life.

Everyone has a story to tell.  The only question is what kind of a tale will I be passing on?  If I keep some kind of memorial to God's great works in my life, intentionally look for how God is at work and am quick to tell of His greatness, that story will be one that glorifies God.  If I assume that my children and those around me will know of these testimonies through osmosis, I'm only fooling myself.  Therefore, let today be the day I tell the tale of God's amazing deeds so everyone will know that He is the Lord my God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can look for evidence of God's love all around me.

When do I tend to pay more attention to what is difficult than on how God is using the hard circumstances for my good?

How am I quick to gossip or complain instead of telling my latest testimony?  


Originally published on February 20, 2014

Expect Opposition

Originally published on October 13, 2014

"I also told them about the gracious hand of my
God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.'

So they began this good work.

But when Sanballat the Horonite,

Tobiah the Ammonite official

and Geshem the Arab heard about it,

they mocked and ridiculed us.

'What is this your are doing?' they asked.

'Are you rebelling against the king?'"

Nehemiah 2:18-19

The hand of God was upon Nehemiah.  The God of the universe went before him, paving the way for his mission.  His favor was upon Nehemiah.  Still, there was opposition.  There was difficulty.  There were bumps in the road.

Even though I'm following God and am under His favor through faith in Jesus Christ, I can't expect clear sailing.  In fact, I had better realize I will experience trouble of some kind.  Thankfully, though, resistance to or defiance against God's plan for my life does not mean I have to give up.  No!  I am on the side of the Overcomer (John 16:33)!  The opposition that rises up against me only means I must adjust.  What must I do?

Carry On.  Before any work could be done, the wall around Jerusalem had to be inspected.  How bad was the damage?  What kind of materials would they need?  How would they go about repairing the walls and gates?  A plan was made and work had begun.  Then came the enemy to mock and make fun of them.  They could have given up, doubting their mission or fearing for their welfare.  Instead, they carried on with the proclamation that, "The God of heaven will give us success (Nehemiah 2:20)." (Nehemiah 2:11-3:32)

It is the same with me.  Who is discouraging me in the race God has marked out for me to run (Hebrews 12:1-2)?  In what ways am I being ridiculed for the peculiar life I'm living (Matthew 7:14)?  If I'm being teased or criticized for what He has called me to do, I have a choice to make.  Either I doubt whether I'm on the right path, or I speak words of faith about the God who empowers me and then carry on.

When opposition rises up against me, I can carry on with the mission at hand.

Be Wise.  As a follower of Christ placed in the middle of a cold, harsh world, I am vulnerable.  Jesus said, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves." (Matthew 10:16)  Sheep are defenseless against predators.  They don't have a way to fight back.  In fact, their only protection against danger is their shepherd and to huddle together in a group:  They must rely on their guardian and each other.

Likewise, I must realize my Shepherd's rod and staff will protect and comfort me in times of trouble.  I also have been placed in a family of believers who can stand with me when trials come my way.  There are some things, however, Jesus warned me to keep in mind as I live in such a helpless state.  He wants me to be on guard, not ignorant of the dangers at hand but savvy of their presence.  Still, I am not to enter the battle as everyone else does.  Instead, I am to keep my hands clean as I let my Warrior God fight on my behalf (Matthew 10:16-20).

This means when the powerful seek to bring me down, I can place my defense in God's hands and watch as He lifts me up (James 4:10,Psalm 27:5).  Furthermore, I can't expect everyone to agree with me.  As a result, I can take precautions to protect the mission and leave the rest up to God.  It also means when people make fun of me I must preach the truth to myself, replacing their ridicule with pure, just, lovely, gracious, excellent thoughts that bring honor and glory to God (Philippians 4:8). 

When opposition rises up against me, I must be wise in the way I respond.

Trust God.  I naturally want everyone to like me.  At my core, I am a people-pleaser who feels better when I receive lots of affirmation from those around me.  I'd rather do something that is widely accepted than do what sets me apart from the crowd.

Unfortunately for my sin nature, I am following One who is highly controversial and is not well-liked by all.  Therefore, I must expect to face some kind of harassment or maltreatment as I walk with Jesus (John 15:20).  The suffering I endure, however, is not in vain.  Instead, it is used by God to conform me into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).  Everything, whether it was meant to harm me or just irritate me, is woven by the Master Weaver into the beautiful tapestry of my life.

When opposition rises up against me, I can trust God to use it for my good and His glory.

I often mistakenly believe God will protect me from all hindrances when I am careful to obey Him.  As an alien in a foreign land, however, I must expect opposition of some kind.  When I do experience some form of harassment, I can carry on, be wise, and trust God.  In so doing, I will experience peace in the midst of turmoil as I watch God's plan prevail.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even though my outlook is dismal.

When do I assume everyone will agree with the trajectory of my path?

How am I offended when opposed instead of realizing it's to be expected as a follower of Christ?

Work at Hand

Originally published on October 6, 2014

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate.

They dedicated it and set its doors in place,

building as far as the Tower of the Hundred,

which they dedicated,

and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

The men of Jericho built the adjoining section,

and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah.

They laid its beams 

and put its doors 

and bolts and bars in place.

Nehemiah 3:1-3

It was a team project.  Each group took responsibility for one section of the wall, repairing, rebuilding and reestablishing the structures and gates.  Instead of Nehemiah assigning sections to various work parties, respective families and people groups busied themselves with the area closest to them.  The rebuilding of Jerusalem was a beautiful picture of God's people working together to bring glory to Him.

Sometimes it seems I must go to some exotic, far away location to do impactful things for God's kingdom.  In reality, I can do as the people in Nehemiah's time did and busy myself with the work at hand.

See the Need.  The homeless beg for money.  The distraught search for relief.  The elderly wonder about their purpose in a lonely, isolated existence.  The driven pursue significance.  The hopeless look for a reason to carry on.  The world around me is a needy place.

When I ask God to open my eyes to see what breaks His heart, He will show me suffering.  Wherever the need is, that will be what God brings to my attention.  Either I can respond to the love of Jesus that swells up in me, letting His compassion move my feet to action, or I can turn away.  It's not necessary to start a ministry, find someone who has created a formal organization to address the needs, or be officially sent to fill the need.  I can simply join in where I see God at work.

If He opens my eyes to the mothers in my neighborhood who need support, I can offer to watch their children so they can have some time to themselves.  If God shows me how much my coworker suffers from depression, I can offer to introduce the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and pray with her for deliverance.  If I'm suddenly aware of how lonely the forgotten segment of society is at the local nursing home, I can visit the sweet souls found there who crave meaningful connections with people who care.  There is no formal training, preparation or certification needed.  Instead, it only takes a willing heart.

To be used by God to impact the world for Christ, I can start where God shows me the need in my own community.

Do What I Can.  "Sometimes in life you start slow."  I heard the words spoken by a high school football player as he described their come-from-behind win and my heart was moved.I was struggling with feelings of failure and thoughts of doubt as I considered the small turnout for a Bible-study outreach I recently started.  As I listened to the godly wisdom coming from the mouth of a youngster, I realized the truth found there.  God's idea of success does not include the number of people involved.  Instead, He is concerned that I obey His calling on my life with wholehearted compliance.

Every ministry has to start somewhere.  So, I begin by doing what I can, letting God grow my faithful efforts to accomplish what He desires for His kingdom.  It doesn't have to complicated or endorsed by an official organization.  Instead, my response to God's calling just has to be sincere.  Wherever I see God at work, I can do what I can to be a part of what He is doing, walking through the door He opens, filling the need He highlights, or ministering to those He places close at hand.

To be used by God to impact the world for Christ, I can do what I can to join in where God is already working.

Lose the Expectations.  It doesn't always feel good.  Sometimes, it's downright grueling.  No one may even notice what I'm doing.  If I expect feelings of well-being, meaningful work, and some kind of recognition for my efforts, I will be disappointed as I labor with God in the mission field all around me.

In his first letter to the followers of Christ, Peter talked about the various areas I should pay attention to as the end draws near.  He concludes by encouraging God's people to use His gifts given to serve others (1 Peter 4:10-11).  

If I give my all with the understanding that it comes from Him in the first place, I will bring glory to Him.  If, however, I work in my own strength, trying hard to impress others with my dedication, find meaning for my life, or discover a sense of satisfaction, I will only end up seeking credit for myself.

To be used by God to impact the world for Christ, I can lose the expectation for any kind of selfish benefit and do it only for the glory of God.

It's easy to wait to serve with God because I think my efforts won't matter if it's not an organized mission or done in an exotic locale.  In reality, I can ask Him to open my eyes to the need all around me, joining in by doing what I can, and losing the grandiose expectations.  Then, I will impact the world for Christ as I busy myself with the work at hand.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can do everything I do, small or big, for the glory of God.

When do I wait for something better to come along instead of being faithful in the little things?

What do I reject doing because I think it's not enough to make a difference?

         

God is God. . . and I am not

Originally published on February 28, 2012

"Bow your neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon;

serve him and his people,

and you will live."

Jeremiah 27:12

Common sense is defined as, "normal, native intelligence," or "sound practical judgement that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like."  I make decisions everyday based upon my common sense.  I think, If it doesn't sound logical and make sense, it must not be the right choice. 

Even Guatama Siddharta, founder of Buddhism agrees with me. He said to, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

The problem is, God calls me to, "Trust in the Lord with all (my) heart and lean not on (my) own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)  Following God sometimes means I will do things out of obedience to God that do not make sense to me, that goes against every piece of sound logic and which looks downright irresponsible.  But God is God and I am not.  

Trusting God many times means I will go against my common sense.

Zedekiah, King of Judah

God sent a message to the King of Judah that went against Zedekiah's good judgement.  The Lord said through the prophet Jeremiah that when the Babylonian army came in to conquer and destroy his land, he was to roll over and surrender willingly.  If he did so, he would be allowed to live.  In fact, all the nations in the region were sent a similar message, saying that if they did not resist, they would be able to stay in their own land.  

What king worth his salt is going to passively stand by while a foreign army invades his land?  Even a puppet king placed in power by a foreign ruler cannot easily surrender to an invading army.  King Zedekiah did what came naturally instead of obeying God and he rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar.   Consequently, he was forced to watch his sons' violent deaths before suffering the gouging of his eyes and exile to Babylon.

Trusting God many times means I will be asked to go against my common sense.

Jim Elliot

God used the life and death of missionaries Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, Roger Youderin and Peter Fleming to open up a door for the Gospel to enter the lives of the mysterious Auca tribe in Ecuador, as well as to other people groups in the region.  

These men acted recklessly, going against all standards of good judgement in making contact with such a violent and primitive tribe who regularly killed six out of every ten of their fellow tribesmen.  Not surprisingly, the five men were brutally killed upon making their first contact with the people with whom they had come to share the gospel.   But, as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in the video he shot in the same Amazon Basin jungle with descendants of Nate Saint and his killer along with other tribe members who are now followers of Jesus Christ, God is God and I am not. 

Please take a moment to watch this powerful video.

Trusting God many times means I will do things that go against my common sense.

Youcef Nadarkhani

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been held under charges of apostasy in Iran since 2009 when he spoke out against Islamic indoctrination in his childrens' school. (He was released in January 2013 but since has been arrested and persecuted numerous times.) His actions go against every bit of common sense in my being.  When living in an Islamic state who is violently opposed to the message of the gospel, it is a matter of self-preservation to keep quiet about one's beliefs.  

But God inspired this young man to speak up and take a stand for Christ at risk of his life and the lives of his young family.  God is God and I am not.  Who knows what fruit will come from this act of obedience?

Trusting God many times means I will take a stand that goes against my common sense.

What is God calling me to do this very day that goes against all sound judgement?  Give away my savings?  Show love to someone who hurt me deeply?  Sell everything and go to a hostile land?  Quit my job?  Take a pay cut and a demotion?  

Whatever it is that God is calling me to do, I can rest in the knowledge that God is God and I am not.  He has a plan. . . and that plan is far in scope beyond all I can ever imagine!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will be challenged by these stories to obey God at all costs.

When do I rely on my common sense instead of listening to and obeying God?

How does knowing that God's ways are higher than my ways inspire me to obey even when it doesn't make sense for me to do so?

Heart of Flesh

Originally published on April 30, 2012

"I will give you a new heart 

and put a new spirit in you;

I will remove from you

your heart of stone

and give you a heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26

September has always been a special month for me.  Not only is it the month of my birth, but as a child and even as a homeschool mother, I always enjoyed the beginning of the new school year.  The preparation for the upcoming year brought a sense of hope and excitement to my days as I purchased new clothing and supplies, preparing myself for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the first day of school approached during my junior high and high school years, I would organize my notebook, making new dividers and filling it with fresh paper and pencils.  I then would turn my attention to my attire, deciding which outfit I would wear for the first day.  Often, I would get a pair of new shoes and somehow, this made me feel like a brand new person tackling a brand new school year.  

In the same way that my fresh, never-before-worn clothes and virgin pencils groomed me for the new classes I was about to face, the new heart of flesh that God has given me through faith in Jesus Christ prepares me for living my life as a member of the family of God.

Empowered Obedience

A friend of mine recently gave a great visual of the battle that occurs between my spirit and God's Spirit as described in Galatians 5:17.  "The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." 

My friend likened this contrariness, this conflict to a tug-of-war between me and God. As God's Spirit moves me in His direction, my flesh pulls back against Him, pulling me in the opposite direction. The only way for me to go in God's direction is for me to stop pulling and let Him lead me.  If I drop the rope altogether, giving up the fight and surrendering my will to Him, I can freely walk along with Him.  

As one who has been provided through Christ with a tender and responsive heart (Ezekiel 36:26), I am given the ability to withstand the temptation to do things my way.  The grace of God which constantly flows through me from His indwelling Spirit empowers me to, "offer the parts of (my) body to him as instruments of righteousness.  For sin shall not be (my) master, because (I) am not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:13-14)  Either I choose to give myself over to the pull of God, or the influence of sin.  

Each time I sense the tug of God leading me in His direction, there will be the temptation for my flesh to fight against Him.  But thanks to God's grace abundantly found in my life and manifested through His Son's death on the cross, I have the option and ability to drop the rope, giving in to God's will.  When I submit, the fruit of the Spirit are produced and there is no law against these things! 

I don't have to try harder to be good and please God, rather I have to nail, "the passions and desires of (the) sinful nature to his cross and (crucify) them there."  (Galatians 5:24 NLT) Or, as 17th Century Puritan preacher Peter Bulkeley said, "If God be God over us, we must yield him universal obedience in all things.  He must not be over us in one thing, and under us in another, but he must be over us in everything."  

I am empowered to obey by the grace of God when I submit to Him and allow Him to lead me.

Godly Devotion

Our neighbors own a huge German Shepherd who looks quite intimidating but who is actually a big baby.  He's gentle, calm and pretty laid back. . . until his owner brings out the beloved tennis ball.  Then he turns into the fetching machine, never taking his eyes of the yellow orb.  Nothing can distract him from the job at hand; squirrels, food, other dogs, they all fade into the background as the ball takes center stage, monopolizing his attention.  He's all about his ball.

In the same way, I am called to be wholly devoted to God.  He may allow a variety of attractive belief systems or alluring distractions to come my way in order to test me "to find out whether (I) love him with all (my) heart and with all (my) soul.  It is the LORD (my) God (I) must follow, and him (I) must revere.  Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him."  (Deuteronomy 13:3-4)

This kind of devotion comes with maturity as we progressively work toward, "attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming."  (Ephesians 4:13-14)  Growing in my walk with God means I will gradually become more Christ-like, little-by-little gaining an immunity to distractions.  The goal is to become like my neighbor's dog; all about my God!

As I cultivate my personal relationship with God through faith in Christ, I will increasingly develop my devotion for Him and Him alone.

Spontaneous Love

Have you ever tried really hard to love someone, especially someone who is particularly prickly?  I have. . . and it doesn't work.  I just don't have it in me to love like God loves me!  

I like the way Oswald Chambers put it in his entry for April 30th in My Utmost for His Highest:  "Love is not premeditated, it is spontaneous, i.e., it bursts up in extraordinary ways.  There is nothing of mathematical certainty in Paul's category of love.  We cannot say--'Now I am going to think no evil; I am going to believe all things.'  The characteristic of love is spontaneity.  We do not set the statements of Jesus in front of us as a standard; but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without knowing it, and on looking aback we are amazed at the disinterestedness of a particular emotion, which is the evidence that the spontaneity of real love was there.  In everything to do with the life of God in us, its nature is only discerned when it is past."

It is not my effort that produces a loving attitude or loving acts, rather it is in extension of God's Spirit working through me.  "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  (Romans 5:5)

As I let God's Spirit have it's way in me, I will find that the irritation I used to experience when dealing with a certain difficult personality has vanished and in it's place is patience and gentleness.

When I let go and let God, it will become apparent that my previous penchant for perfection and high expectations for others' actions has been replaced by a desire to let go of past failures and to always hope, believing with faith that things will get better.

If I follow God where He leads, I will soon see that circumstances and situations that used to anger me and send me into a tailspin now have no affect on me.  My blood does not boil and I'm no longer compelled to chew someone out, defending my position.  

Love comes as a natural extension of God Spirit as He becomes greater and I become less and will show up unprompted in ways I can't explain.  

God is the craftsman of my new heart.  Only He can, "Create in me a clean heart. . . and renew a right spirit within me."  (Psalm 51:10)  And with this heart of flesh I am empowered to obey God, to be wholly devoted to Him and to love spontaneously.  In this way, I am growing "in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."  (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will let go and let God have His way in my life this moment.

When do I insist on having my way, thus preventing God to love others through me?

How do I hang onto my own desires, refusing to nail them to the cross?

Eternal Benefit

Originally published on January 22, 2014.  Republished today in honor of my mom, who on this day one year ago realized her hope in Christ and went to live with Him for the rest of eternity.  

"When you were slaves to sin,

you were free from the control of righteousness.

What benefit did you reap at the time

from the things you are now ashamed of?

Those things result in death!

But now that you have been set free from sin

and have become slaves to God,

the benefit you reap leads to holiness,

and the result is eternal life.

For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:20-23

He was a man who tried everything in his search for meaning and happiness.  Hundreds of women crossed the threshold of his bedroom, countless philosophers and teachers discussed the wisdom of the ages, wealth and pleasure all were his, but still he lacked peace and contentment.  His conclusion?  It's all meaningless!  Nothing in life brings genuine fulfillment.

In the end, Solomon did draw a deeper conclusion from his lifelong quest for meaning.  He said, "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty.  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT)  

God had blessed Solomon with everything most people desire.  Wisdom, wealth and honor like no other king had ever possessed belonged to him.  Still, Solomon felt empty as he explored these good things throughout his years.

This famous ruler found out the hard way that following the flesh gives no lasting benefit.  Pleasure is fleeting, happiness is transient and any meaning that is found is usually empty and ends in death.  The only thing that makes sense is to live as God intended me to exist, in submission to Him.  When I become a slave to God instead of to my own desire for happiness, I will come to the same conclusion as Solomon: I am created to live in relationship with God.

Control of Righteousness

"I can do whatever I want!"  Anyone who is the parent of a toddler or a teenager has probably heard these words at some point in their youngster's life.  We as humans have strong wills that want to have things our way.  No one knows this better than a parent with a rebellious child.  

If I'm honest with myself, though, I realize that I am no different than that preschooler throwing a fit in the grocery store aisle.  I want my way which is counter to God's way.  My Father knows what is best for me but I only care about fulfilling my own desires.  

When I've worked hard on earning a college degree, for instance, I feel it is my purpose to use that diploma to find a good job in my field.  God, however, has another plan as He waits for me to seek His will.

Then there are the times when I enjoy telling my friends or family about the struggles a sister in Christ is battling.  Instead of heeding the still, small Voice that calls for discretion, I continue exposing her hurts and pains for all to judge.

Sometimes I know that I would be better off without all the electronic gadgets that bring worldly values streaming into my home on a continual basis.  Instead of standing for what is good, however, I give in to the desire to be entertained.

As one who has been bought with a price, I can no longer think of my life as my own to do with as I please. (1 Corinthians 6:20)  Instead, I can move forward from here as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, bringing my will into submission to His. (Romans 12:1)  Allowing God to be in control means sin no longer reigns in my life.

Now I have an obligation to do what is right as one who desires to please God in thought, word and deed.  I can't separate myself from the world as a hermit in a quest for righteousness; after all, if there's no temptation, there's no sin, right?  Maybe.  But perhaps I need to consider the encouragement of Oswald Chambers when he said, "It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death.  He wants you to be a 'living sacrifice,' to let Him have all your powers that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus.  This is the thing that is acceptable to God." 

What good am I to God if I am cut off from a world that needs Jesus so desperately?   I may become more holy, but does this please God in and of itself, or does He want more from me?

Living in relationship with God brings me under the control of righteousness so that I can live to please Him.

Holiness

As artists, my daughters own brushes that are created for one thing, and one thing only; painting on canvass.  While I can see other functions for their use, such as cleaning in tight corners, touch-up painting in my living room, or dusting delicate figurines, these tools are set aside for only one specific function.  Using them otherwise would damage their delicate nature and deny their purpose.

In a similar way, I am set aside for the single purpose of glorifying God.  I can think of all sorts of other functions for which I can be used, but not all will please God.  Selfish ambition can drive me toward worldly success, leaving me with much material wealth but devoid of peace.

Strong family relationships give much satisfaction and pleasure as I strive to do my best for my husband and children.  Emptiness soon comes, however, because I have left God out of the family.

Seeking a culturally diverse existence propels me toward many religions, but none contains the truth that has the power to set me free.

As one who belongs to God, my reason for existence is found in His plan for my life.  There are many paths I can choose to follow, but until I accept that God holds the blueprint, nothing will ever make sense.  Once I seek Him with all my heart, He will give me a desire to live a life that is radically different from those around me.

Instead of working toward success, I labor alongside the Lord as His servant without regard to my accomplishments.  Or I desire to fulfill my purpose as a wife and mother in a way that makes God the center of my home.  Or my fascination with foreign people groups compels me to share the gospel with a lost world.

Living in a relationship with God illuminates the greater purpose for my life.

Eternal Life

She once lived to die.  Her life brought forth seven children and a loving husband who was the joy of her life, but also drugs, alcohol, abuse and violence.  When living to please herself, she nearly died too many times to count.  Once she came to Christ, however, her outlook changed.  Instead of seeing her life as a series of failures and trauma, she began to see it as an opportunity to live for Him.

Once my friend invited Jesus into her life, her perspective changed.  In the past, despair ruled as she wallowed in the guilt and regret of all the pain her loved ones suffered by her hand.  Now, she has hope for what is to come.  

Paul shared this same expectation for eternity that drove him to persevere through the trials that came his way.  He said, "That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.  For our present troubles are small and won't last very long.  Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.  For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT)

As one who is a slave to God instead of sin, I have eternal life to look forward to.  Everything in this world pales in comparison to the glory of heaven!  The pain of sickness will become as a faint shadow in my memory as I enter into the presence of the glory of God.  All the hurt that is as a result of sin will only serve to showcase the greatness of our God in comparison.  Nothing I can imagine will prepare me for the magnificence and beauty of my eternal home.

Living in a relationship with God through the tough times in this fallen world gives me the hope of eternal life that will spur me on.

Solomon found out that seeking happiness ended in disappointment, but living for God results in meaning.  As I give my life to God through faith in Jesus Christ, I will find I am under the control of righteousness that leads to a life that is set aside for God's glory, and all the suffering is not in vain as I realize my final destination outshines any pleasure I can find here on earth.  Living in relationship with God ends in a rich eternal benefit that far outweighs my wildest dreams.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop following the flesh and begin to live as a slave to God.

How do I live as if I'm still a slave to sin?

When do I tend to give up hope, as if my problems in the here and now overshadow what I have to look forward to in eternity?