Faith-Forward.Org
 

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Next     Previous     Today

The Goal of Life

We are told in scripture that we should, "be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be always being filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:15-18).  The goal of life, explicitly stated as not only the Lord's will but enabling us to wisely make the most of every opportunity that life presents, is to always be being filled up with the Spirit, the heart, the character, the essence and power of God. 

In the same way that we are blessed with a purpose, blessed that we might be a blessing (see the August 18th Challenge), we are also filled with a purpose, filled that there might be an emptying.  Does the filling of the Holy Spirit have benefits to us?  Absolutely.  But, it is not for us alone, it is that God wants to flow through us to touch his world.

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who . . . emptied Himself" (Philippians 2:5,7; NASB).

Jesus was "in very nature God" (Philippians 2:6), and the one of whom it is said, "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" (Colossians 1:19).  Jesus was filled full of God, and made it his habit to go to God daily to be filled up again (Luke 5:16).  Paul's prayer for the Ephesians and for us is "that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19).  We need to be continually being filled so that there can be an overflow, so that there can be an emptying.  We are to share the attitude of Jesus who although he was as full of God as anyone has ever been, emptied himself.  He poured himself out for us.  We are to do the same for others.

This is not a safe attitude.  There is no thought of self-preservation.  There is no saving for a rainy day.  "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).  It is trusting God that even if I give away everything that I have today, that there will be more for me to take in and give away tomorrow.  We are to sow generously so that we reap generously (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).  As it says in Lamentations, "They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23).

Life is not a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well-preserved body.

The goal is to skid in broadside,
tires smoking,
jazz blaring,
body dented,
thoroughly used up and worn out
and proclaiming,
"Wow — what a ride!"
— anonymous

The goal of life according to Jesus is to give it all away.  He had everything but gave it all away out of love for us.  We can give of ourselves with the same abandon knowing that God will always give us more in return than we could ever give away.  We simply need to embrace the opposite of safe and predictable and embrace the adventure of faith.  The goal of life is to arrive in heaven the same way as the above poem, thoroughly used up and worn out and proclaiming, "Wow — what a life!"

Next     Previous     Today