V. HOW SHOULD I THEN LIVE?

John 4:39-42

Jesus is always the one who invites people to come and see.  How nice it must have been to hear the Samaritans invite him to come and stay with them.  The Samaritans, with whom the Jews had no dealings, were receptive and welcoming to Jesus, where as the Jews were not.  The Samaritans were thirsty and receptive, and Jesus was able to give them what they needed.  They did not argue and debate with him, picking apart everything Jesus did or said, asking by what authority he did this and that.  Many listened, received and believed in him.  The woman asked questions but did not demand that he prove himself to her.  She had a teachable spirit that enabled her to hear and accept the truth without an argument.

The living water that Jesus gives becomes a spring of water within the one hearing and receiving his words.  That spring of living water that dwells with is the Spirit of Truth and it is that spring that feeds my heart, my mind, and my soul.  That spring flows right from the Source and it must remain unpolluted from the schemes of the enemy of God, and the ways of the world.  This is accomplished by delighting in God, delighting in His Law, and meditating on it day and night.  The Spirit speaks Truth and that Truth protects me from the deception, denial, doubt, and deformation of the enemy’s words.  The spring of Living Water brings forth life, abundant and eternal life. 

How should I then live?  Drinking from the spring of Living Water that freely flows within me, that comes directly from the Source of God’s fountain of Living Water.

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS & IN THE FRUIT OF THE RESURRECTION

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS & IN THE FRUIT OF THE RESURRECTION

Suffering and sacrifice are not popular themes these days

But neither is love…true love

Suffering and sacrifice is the compost that true love grows in.

Suffering and sacrifice is the seen as being negative

In the magic kingdom of prosperity in today’s world

The cry is for freedom, without cost

Effortless and painless

No dues to be paid

But that is simply cheap grace and empty gratitude.

One must suffer and sacrifice in order to die to self

Then, and only then can true love grow

From death comes life

After the cross came the resurrection

And the world was transformed.

IV. HOW SHOULD I THEN LIVE?

It is easy to praise God and be a light to the world when everything is going well.  It is easy to say God is good when all is going good.  But in the midst of of trials and tribulation, when the winds of adversity and persecution blow upon me, will that praise come easily from my mouth and the light shine brightly in my eyes and in my life?

As the last days come upon the world and darkness falls, the entire world will be affected.  It is then that people will see what my testimony of God truly is.  A close reading of the Scriptures clearly shows that the lives of believers don’t fare well in this world.  At times we can fit in with the humanitarians and good deed doers; but there comes a time when that difference will become obvious.  Persecution has a way of revealing the truth about how I am truly living.  It revealed itself in the lives of the disciples when Jesus was crucified and they abandoned him.  It revealed itself in Stephen as those around him watched him die, still proclaiming the goodness of God.  Paul watched that event and it had a great affect on him. 

A light shines best in the darkness and those days are coming quickly upon us.  Are believers being prepared for this?  Am I prepared for this?  Is my light ready to shine when the days are dark and dangerous?  Am I truly committed to God in good times and in bad times, for better or for worse?  It is my desire to be.

Knowing the reality of the crucifixion is a true necessity today.  Knowing that Jesus suffered a horrible death for me is a necessity today.  Knowing that God loves me so much that He sent Jesus to die is a necessity today.  How should I then live?  At the foot of the cross and in the fruit of the resurrection. 

III. HOW SHOULD I THEN LIVE?

“Whoever receives his testimony sets her seal to this, that GOD IS TRUE.” 

John 3:33

Once again the choice is simple and the choice is mine. I know what I believe, in whom I believe in, and who I choose to obey.  I believe in the One God who created the world, whose thoughts are higher than my thoughts, whose ways are higher than my ways, whose Spirit I can’t explain.  Words get in the way.  I can only show what I believe by my actions.  I do that by following Jesus in his words and actions; I do that by allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in my words, in my actions, and in my life.  Faith and belief are not rocket science.  They are simple and clear.  He must increase and I must decrease.  What I have built must go so that what God wants to produce in me will grow to the fullest.

“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:6-8).

Words are of the flesh.  They become barriers and make boundaries where there are none.  God’s Word is true.  “My word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

Jesus is the Word of God and I do well to listen to him.  His words are clear and simple; his actions are clear and simple.  His words and his actions answer my question, how should I then live.

II. HOW SHOULD I THEN LIVE?

“My Kingdom Is Not Of This World”

Jesus lived the principles of the Kingdom of God while he was on earth but he didn’t try and build the Kingdom of God here.  He was the demonstration of the difference between the two.  Many folks try to build the kingdom of heaven here on earth…in reality it is their kingdoms that they are building. 

The true Kingdom of God is presented in Jesus and has his characteristics. 

The Kingdom of God is eternal not temporary.  No kingdom of man will last.  It is not something to be fought for or defended.  It is not something to be forced on others.  It is not about privilege or advancement.  It is not about material gain.  It is about allowing God will to rule in the lives of all who call him Lord.  It is about obedience to the commandments of God.  It is about the true fruit that will grow from that relationship.

As I read through the Bible and study the history of Christianity I observe that people truly committed to God, who allow Him to rule their wills and obey Him don’t fair well on earth; from Jesus, to the apostles, to the early church.  The true Christian life is one of sacrifice, humility, obedience, and persecution.  In the eyes of the world these are not aspects of success or the abundant life.  But true followers of Jesus don’t look through the eyes of the world.  Their eyes are focused on Jesus and the vision he proclaims of God’s Kingdom to come.  In light of that vision all else seems dim.  In light of that vision how should I then live?

“Aspire to live quietly, and mind my own affairs,

And work with my hands, so that I may walk

Properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

I Thessalonians 4:11

I. HOW SHOULD I THEN LIVE?

I will always appreciate this question coined by Frances Schaeffer.  I find myself asking it a lot these days, as things get so confusing and chaotic due to the arrogance and lawlessness of mankind.  After watching the Republican debate I realize that many of them speak words that speak my mind but they came to different conclusions and plans of action.

My question still remains, how much do I want to get involved in the political activities that are very much of this world’s philosophy no matter how much people try and bring religion into it.  The bottom line for me is that the world has no moral compass anymore.  It has not been true to one in the past but at least it acknowledged one and many tried to live by it.  That compass has been destroyed and the world is suffering the consequences.  But that is not new.  That has been going on since the beginning of time.  It is the hubris of humanity and the denial of a Deity that always ends in disaster.  In light of that, how should I then live?

In a world gone mad

Jesus came

To give true light

That we might be enlightened

To give true life

That we might live abundantly

To give knowledge

That we might live obediently.

He came in the flesh

But he lived in the Spirit

His flesh died

But his Spirit lived on

This world was not his home

And neither should it be mine.

I will not bow to anything

Of the world

I bow only to the King of Kings

And Lord of Lords.

I am to watch and wait

Live and love while I am here

But know that he is coming again

To take me home, to be with him

Forever.

IS ANYONE LISTENING?

“The heavens declare the Glory of God

The sky above proclaims His handiwork

Day to day pours out speech,

Night to night reveals knowledge.”

Psalm 19:1,2

I can’t help but wonder if that is why so many great thinkers and great writers came from this general area and areas close by.  They were constantly surrounded by God’s glory and handiwork.  Even if they were unaware of whose Presence they were in, they were indeed soaking up His Presence in His handiwork.

          Query:  Whose presence and knowledge surrounds me and soaks into

                      my being on a continual basis?

All of God’s handiwork is continually on display, day and night; all His knowledge is being proclaimed continually, day by day.  Do I listen?  Do I take heed?  Do I bask in all that He provides freely for all who pay attention?  Who is it that does?  Who is it that doesn’t?

Jesus’ method of discipleship was to “come and see”, be with him as he lived his daily life here on earth.  He must have learned that from his Father, who referred to Himself as I AM not I DO.  Out of the AMness the doing will naturally come forth as fruit.

I come to places like this beautiful New England countryside just to BE here, not to run around doing the tourist thing.  I feel like I belong here, like I am at home here.  I simply enjoy breathing in the air and looking at all the beautiful mountains that surround me.  This is sacred space for me.  Earlier in my spiritual walk I was drawn here.  This is where the prodigal daughter returned to a loving and patient Father.  This is where my heart and soul calls home.

ENLIGHTENING THE EYES

Everyone sees things through different lenses.  I remember writing a poem in the 60’s about looking at life through rose colored glasses and seeing beauty in everything.  We talk about our “worldview” today, and how it affects how we think and what we do.  Jesus talked a lot about seeing and hearing.  His teachings and his parables were aids in helping people see differently…through the eyes of God and His kingdom.

One of my favorite old songs by Amy Grant is “My Father’s Eyes”.  “Eyes that see the good in things, when good is not around…Eyes full of compassion and love.”  I used to pray to be able to see through those eyes.  I continue to pray for those enlightened eyes, especially as the world gets darker and filled with gloom and doom.

As I drove through the mountains of New England and was immersed in God’s created world, listening to my praise music, I felt enlightened in my spirit.  My eyes and ears were focused on His handiwork, and it was good, very good.

In my heart I prayed:

Enlighten my eyes

That I may see You in all I see.

Enlighten my ears

That I might hear You in all I hear.

Enlighten my mind

That I might know You in all situations.

Enlighten my soul

That I might feel Your Presence everywhere.

PETER GOT IT

When all is said and done, from the beginning of time until the end of time, it all comes down to a choice that each and every individual will have to make.  It is the most important choice to be made, for all else hinges on it; it is a matter of life or death that was spoken by God in the beginning.  It was the manifestation of pure freedom that God gave to man.  “And  Lord God commanded the man saying, ‘You may eat of every tree of the garden, but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in that day that you eat of it you shall die” (Gen 2:16,17).

God gives me everything I need for life, including the freedom to accept Him or reject Him.  The ball is always in my court; the choice is always mine, and mine alone; as are the consequences. 

The Bible is a record of how people down through the ages have made that choice and the blessings and cursings that have come from that choice.  The Bible is also a record of a loving God who renews His covenant again and again with people who made the wrong choice and were living in the cursings and consequences of that choice.  God continually opens the way back to Him because He loves all that He created and wants the very best for everyone.  The invitation is always open and the choice to accept or refuse is always mine.

The echoes of Joshua’s words run throughout the Bible.  “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

The echoes of Daniel and the words of his fellow friends in exile run through the Bible. “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from out of your hands, O King.  But if not, be it known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).

Peter got it.  Jesus gave a sober and difficult teaching explaining the life that the Spirit gives and the futility of the flesh.  Many of those following him chose to leave.  Jesus turned to the twelve disciples He had chosen to see how they would choose. “ Do you want to go away as well?  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69).

God gives the commands and the conditions.  The choice is always mine.  I choose to believe Him, receive Him, to be His listening child, to look to Him as my God, and to center my life on Him and His Word.

FIVE OF THE TEN VIRGINS GOT IT

Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are watching the stage being set for the end of time.  This time was planned since the beginning of time and is fully under the authority and control of God Almighty, who Himself is the Alpha and Omega.  Know and believing that Truth will cause those who have put their trust in Him to not panic or fear the things to come, but to faithfully watch and wait as these things unfold.  It is what God’s people have done down through time; watch and wait.

It wasn’t the circumstances and conditions of the physical world that they were focused on; wars, famine, persecution, the poor.  Their focus was in the Spiritual realm, on God’s Word that was to come, did come, and will come again.  This is what Mary, the mother of Jesus treasured and pondered in her heart, before and after she was chosen of God to birth this Messiah of the world.  This is what Simeon was holding onto in the temple as he waited for the consolation of Israel and in his last days actually held this Messiah in his arms and blessed him.  This is what kept Anna in the temple fasting and praying, thankful to have been able to look upon this infant who was the Messiah come in the flesh.  They knew this was the work of God promised since the beginning of time; they did not panic and fear, but thanked and blessed God for His faithfulness.  They prepared themselves by knowing who they were waiting for and believing when they saw him, even as an infant.

Jesus told his disciples the signs that would come before the end of time.  He did not tell them the exact day or time, but rather admonished them to stay awake, be ready, and do the work that a master would expect from his servant in his absence.

There has been contention among Christians about what that work is.  There are the social action people who like Judas would show concern over anointing Jesus with expensive oil while there were so many hungry and poor people in the world, or like Martha who took offense at her sister for sitting and listening rather than practically helping her prepare and serve those in their home.  There are the more contemplative people who like Simeon and Anna need to devote themselves, their time, and their energy to fasting, praying and worshipping in the temple day and night.  There are the religious people who like the good and true Pharisees feel they need to keep the Law perfectly and strive to be holy and live holy lives.  All of them speak truth.  But all of these things they focus on are merely the fruit of the one true work of God that Jesus proclaims.  “When his disciples asked him, ‘What must we do to be doing the works of God?”, Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom He has sent” (John 6:28,29).

Five of the ten virgins got it.  They were ready with lamps and oil in hand and were let in to the marriage feast.  The five who had lamps but no oil to trim them with were not allowed in; the door was shut.  “Afterward the other virgins came along saying, ‘Truly Lord, Lord open to us.’ But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU” (Matthew 25:11-13).

Let those who have eyes see and those who have ears hear.

THE GOOD FRUIT GETS IT

“You will know them by their fruit.”  Pure unadulterated seeds don’t lie.  When planted in the ground they will only produce what is within them.  That was the master plan of God in His creation of the world.

“And God said, Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.  And it was so. And God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:11-12

Man’s need to control and the technology of businesses like Monsanto have interfered with that process and now it cannot be trusted and is found to be harmful to human beings.  It is a pattern at the most basic level.  God creates and produces; man controls and destroys.

I keep hearing that this country was the Promise Land given by God to those looking for religious freedom.  If that was true we would see a very different America and probably a very different world.  This country was seeded with conquest, violence, and greed.  What we see today is the fruit of those seeds.  Freedom can never be achieved by conquest, control, slavery, or at the expense of others.  Freedom isn’t holding on; it’s letting go.

I have personally seen this many times in institutional churches.  People want freedom from the system they are in, so they leave to free themselves, only to build another system much like the one they left, only in this system they are the leaders and in charge.  So eventually people begin to want their freedom from them so they leave and build their system with them at the top, and on and on.  Seeds will produce according to their own kind.  Rebellion will produce rebellion, violence will produce violence, conquest will produce conquest, and greed will produce greed.  This is true in churches, countries, and world governments.  But all of these things have one common denominator; they are all made up of people; individual people.  Each one a seed fully responsible for its fruit as well as the fruit of the churches, countries, and governments they are a part of.

When Jesus came to earth he could have gone to the Roman government and demanded reform; he could have gone to the Religious system and demanded reform.  That is exactly what the people watching for the Messiah expected of him and were disappointed when he didn’t do that.  Instead, he went one on one, face to face with each individual he encountered.  He planted the pure seed of God’s Spirit into the hearts of those who received and believed in him.  He showed the world it isn’t about conquest, violence, greed, or gain.  It is about letting go, losing, and dying to our Self and coming to God with empty hands.  The seed of God’s Spirit will grow good fruit, wholesome fruit for ourselves and for others.

The good fruit gets it.  His true disciples get it.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31,32

If we want to change the fruit we need to reseed what we are planting.  We need to choose the seed wisely.  Is it the pure seed of the Spirit of God or is it the adulterated seed of man and flesh?  The fruit will reveal the truth, so we need to choose the seed wisely.

STEPHEN GOT IT

One on one, face to face, hands on Presence is my preference for all aspects of my life.  In that there is more than an exchange of information; there is an exchange of life energy that is necessary for true transformation.  I believe that is why the Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.

 Jesus instructed people with his teachings but he inspired them with his life that he shared with them, and that was the seed of transformation.  Those who followed him walked with him 24/7 for three years.  He was imparting his life into them as they walked together, ate together, laughed together, and cried together.  There was no pretense or performance; simply Presence.  That Presence worked within them invisible in their souls making them ready to receive the seed of the Holy Spirit that would be planted in them at Pentecost.  It takes life energy to break up the fallow ground of the heart.  That is what one on one, face to face, hands on Presence does.

One of the concerns I have in my experiences with institutional and organized religion is the division between the Clergy and the Laity.  The Clergy is set apart from the Laity by the responsibilities they have, the collars and clothing that they wear, and the persona they carry into the public arena.  It’s a hierarchy very close to the world’s way of running organizations and I find no foundation for it in the teachings of Jesus. 

As a matter of fact I find Jesus giving strong admonitions against it to his disciples and followers.

I remember pondering this as I was reading Acts 6 one day.  There was a complaint by some that widows were being neglected in the distribution of food in the gatherings.  The disciples all got together and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.  So they picked out seven good men to serve tables while they devoted themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.  Among the seven were Stephen and Phillip.

When I read that I balked and wondered, “Where did they get that from?”  A decision without much discernment, prayer, or advice from God, but pleasing to everyone was made and blessed by the Apostles.  Unfortunately that became a seed that grew into what we have today in institutional church and organized religion; designated Clergy and designated Laity.

The teaching and example of Jesus offers no foundation for this and actually speaks against it.  This is made clear in John 13 where Jesus washes the disciple’s feet.  Jesus said, “Do you understand what I have done for you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done” (John 13: 12-15).  Just to reiterate the lesson the last thing he does for them is cook breakfast and tells them to “Feed my sheep”.  (John 21.)

Jesus didn’t put a division between devoting oneself to prayer and ministering the word and serving tables.  It is all one in his thinking and teaching and should be in mine.  As a postscript, I find it amusing that it is the striking ministry of the word by Stephen and by Phillip recorded in the Scriptures and not those of the disciples who set themselves apart to do that. Jesus desires all of those who follow him to devote ourselves to prayer and ministering the word, as well as serving tables and feeding those who are hungry.

Stephen got it.  He obviously devoted himself to prayer, ministering the word, and serving tables as he gave a striking speech that got him stoned to death, as recorded in Acts 6, 7.  The fruit of that speech grew in he heart of a young man named Saul who was there watching and listening. I would believe that was the beginning of the breaking up of the fallow ground of his heart and soul, preparing him for the seed that would later be planted by the Holy Spirit and would change Saul into Paul.

JOSHUA GOT IT

Exodus 33: 7-11

When all is said and done I will dwell with God and He will be with me as my God forever.  He will wipe away every tear of loneliness, misunderstanding, mourning, and pain from my eyes and death will no longer be a matter of concern or worry.  All the former things that I spent time and energy on will have faded and passed away.  When all is said and done I will dwell with God and enjoy His Presence forever.  I will have found what I have been seeking all my life, in all my saying and doing, and it will be enough for me.

The more that prophetic vision takes hold of my heart, mind, and soul, the more it affects all that I say and do in my life here on earth.  When that prophetic vision becomes the one thing I desire, the one thing I seek, everything else falls into its proper place and maintains its proper perspective.  It’s the one necessary thing that Jesus commended Mary for choosing.  It’s the one thing that carried David throughout his life as a shepherd, as a king, and as a man after God’s own heart.  It’s the one response to Jesus’ question that he asks of all who follow him; “what are you seeking?”

There is a lot to be said and done in this world today.  It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, my own and others.  God calls us to reflect His image to a needy world.  It’s a fleshly temptation to run off half cocked into many endeavors, in many directions, and get overwhelmed and burnt out.

It is a fleshly temptation to lean on my own understanding of what God needs to be said and done in this world and so I say it and do it.  I get busy helping people enter into the Promise Land and be who and all that they can be in God.  I lose track of the prophetic vision that is the point of all I am doing and is to drive all that I say and do.

Joshua was called and commissioned by God to resume Moses’ task of getting people into the Promise Land.  He fulfilled that task by great works, time and energy.  But Joshua didn’t just show up one day ready to say and do what God called him to say and do.  Joshua, as a young man, followed in the steps of his mentor Moses to the tent of meeting where God spoke to Moses, imparting the prophetic vision He had for His people.  Joshua overheard the conversation.  He stayed behind at the tent even after Moses left.  He was seeking that one thing, the prophetic vision that would work in him and then drive all that he would be asked of God to say and do.

Joshua got it when he followed Moses to the tent of meeting and remained even after Moses left.

PAUL GOT IT

Psalm 19: 7-11

The Bible is many things to many people.  For some it is a map and guide for their lives, for some it is a non consequential book that sits on the book shelve; for some it is a weapon to clean up the sin in the world.  As I sit and wonder what the Bible is to me these are my thoughts.

I don’t believe in the Bible. The Bible is to know; the God the Bible reveals is who to believe. 

The Bible shows me where to go right; it shows me where I go wrong.

The Bible is the record of God’s interaction with His creation. 

It contains the good, the bad, and the ugly of man’s interaction with God.

I can learn from the stories and examples recorded in it.

I can learn from the mistakes recorded in it.

I can love reading the Bible but I must never worship it.

In the end the Bible will perish like all other forms and shadows.

In the end it will not be necessary because the Real Word will be Present.

But for now reading and being in relationship with the Bible is an extremely worthwhile endeavor.  It allows me to be in God’s Presence and soaking in the fountain of life that flows though the words written on its pages.

The Bible is life giving because it speaks of the true Way, Truth, and Life that God desires His children to have as their way of being in this life.

Paul got it when he said,

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

For correction, for instruction in righteousness,

That the man and woman of God may be complete,

Thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

II Timothy 3:16

MARY GOT IT

Luke 10:38-42

We live in a world of words today.  Technology has developed to the ability to spew out words 24/7.  Everyone has an opinion on everything and anything; we can know what is happening in every corner of the world; books of words fill the stores, schools, libraries, and our homes.  Talk shows, news shows, the weather station, and even sports shows are constantly filling the air with words.  Yes, we live in a world of words today.

Unfortunately most of these words only produce noise.  They are empty and worthless; they cause confusion rather than clarity as they keep pouring out loads of information that only gets lost in the heavy flow.  Too much, too many, and too manufactured to make us think one way of the other.  The external stimulus shuts down the internal discernment and we become controlled by the mind of the world without, rather than centered in the mind of Christ revealed by the Spirit within.

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  That Word is not just noise; that Word is not empty or worthless; that Word causes clarity not confusion; that Word is inspiration not just information.  God’s Word is perfect in every way; it is sure, pure, tested, flawless, and ever faithful.  God’s Word will accomplish the purposes of God and will succeed in what it speaks and promises.

In my life it is the only Word that gives me life and meaning.  It is the one thing necessary and worthwhile.  Everything I need to know is revealed in nature, in the things God created, and in the Scriptures.

Mary understood that as she sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him.  Jesus said,

“One thing is necessary.

Mary has chosen the good portion,

Which will not be taken away from her.”

DAVID GOT IT

Psalm 27:4

Jesus continually asks me, “What are you seeking?” as I continue to follow him.  My answers have changed a lot over these 40+ years.  When I was younger I used to hear “What do I want?” and my responses were more on a physical and emotional level.  I want to have a successful ministry, I want to write a life changing book, I want to be known, I want to be respected, I want to fit in, and so on.  I have come to realize that behind all of those wants there was something deeper driving those wants.  That something deeper was the “What do I seek?” that Jesus was really asking. 

Over the years those wants came and went.  The root of all those wantings is what drives me today.  So now when he asks me “What am I seeking?” my answer is simply this; YOU and only YOU.

Everything in this world is fleeting; the good stuff and the bad stuff.  As I look back over my years I find I spent a lot of time and energy on achieving what is only temporary and eventually disappears like dust in the wind.  The one treasure worthy of seeking is YOU.  You alone are eternal and dwelling with You is the only thing that is forever. David understood that when he said,

“One thing I have desired of the Lord

And that will I seek after;

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

And inquire in His temple.”

JOHN THE BAPTIST GOT IT

John 3:30

Fame and popularity have a way of poisoning the well in people.  Ambition and success have a way of doing the same.  Wanting what is best does not necessarily mean wanting more.  It seems to all go back to the original deception from the serpent in the garden…”You will be like God”, even though you must disobey God to achieve that.  The Truth is I was created in the image of God and I am like Him already in who I already am.  There is no DOING necessary.  It is important to do what I do well and not do it for any other reason other than that’s what I do because that is who I am.

The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for him to climb; it was for the angels to ascend and descend on.  It was access to the vision of the Lord, for God to speak to him, not a ladder of success for him to climb. (Genesis 28:10-17)

In the eyes of the world the people of God were not very successful, and that includes Jesus.  But God sees success differently.  His definition of success includes faithfulness, obedience, and steadfastness.  Those are the qualities I am to image to the world for they are the qualities of God Himself.  It is never about me but always about God in me.  My authentic self is never about myself but always about the I AM within me, the image of the One who created me.  John the Baptist understood that when he said,

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”