He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side… —Mark 6:45
We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us to do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success. We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us. In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite. We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular end or a desired goal, but He is not. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.
What is my vision of God’s purpose for me? Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish— His purpose is the process itself. What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea” (Mark 6:49). It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.
God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future. We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it. What people call preparation, God sees as the goal itself.
God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.
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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord.
Thank you for being there each moment. I have always believed this but mostly at a mental assent level… while going ahead and worrying about things and striving for my goals. But recently I am learning to separate my goals and desired outcomes from your purposes… and life is getting so much better and more fun. It’s interesting, watching peace coming into my life as I get better at separating the goal from the process. I’m enjoying the ride more… even in harder circumstances, like a cancer diagnosis, a house fire, a lawsuit and a chainsaw injury, all in the last few months.
Thank you for the things you have taught us. Always surrender. Obedience. The objective view… with you by our side, on the balcony. Curiosity. Expectation. Of course those tools are valuable at any level of challenge. But they are even more valuable now. I see people around me, being amazed at the peace you are giving. Some expect me to be more upset and stressed out. But I know that upset and stress would not help and would actually hurt… and it’s so much more fun without it.
So thanks again for the tools. I still have a lot to learn about how to plan and not get in love with my plans. But even that, I’m holding up to you… in an open palm.
You will find peace and joy in all circumstances when you walk with me like this. Remember, I am for you. I am not against you. I want you to learn these things and walk with me thru the process. That’s what love is about, being with the other person in the process. Rejoicing together, weeping together, … Together. Only as you let go of your desired outcomes and focus on the process can you have peace and enjoy the ride. You’ll know that you’re well on your way when you keep your peace, even in the hard circumstances.
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