July 28, 2011
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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July 28, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, just when I think I am about to have a breakthrough in my circumstances I read a devotional like this one that implies my circumstances don’t really matter; that all you are concerned with is my growth and transformation. This devotional tells me that you are not really concerned with my success or failure in this life and that my goals are not necessarily what you have in mind for me.
And God says…”When you are aligned with Me, when you are allowing Me to live through you, your goals and my goals for your life are aligned. And one of My goals for you is that you live each day, hour and minute in the present; not putting off your natural idea of happiness that can only seem to arrive after do this thing or accomplish that goal, or secure that opportunity. I am concerned about your success or failure, success or failure at being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. I am engaged in showing you how to be happy and fulfilled today, right now, this minute. I know the keys to your happiness and fulfillment and that is where I lead you. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own devices (goals or plans) and I will make your paths straight.”
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