Three Desirable Life Objectives
Early on a warm summer eve a young boy knelt on the edge of a dusty Mississippi road. Looking up at the moonlit sky, he prayed a simple, but significant prayer: “Dear God, please give me a self to live with, a work to live for, and a faith to live by.”
For over 75 years he has had the good fortune of living the answer to that prayer. Those are three meaningful components, but actually listed in the reverse order. Faith influences the other two.
Faith is confidence in God to help you perform His will in your life. When Moses tried to do the job himself, he failed. He couldn’t keep a dead Egyptian soldier buried. When he let God in on the action, he saw the entire Egyptian army buried.
Faith is the bridge across which we walk between anxiety, frustration, and fear on one side; to peace of mind, joy, and assurance on the other.
We all, even the greatest skeptic, live by faith. We have confidence the brakes on our car will work when we depress the pedal, and there is no way to prove it in advance. We have faith the food at the fast food place is okay, and there is no way we can test it in advance. We live by faith. It is the object of it, Jesus, that makes life worthwhile.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7)
“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17)
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The second part of that prayer related to a work for which to live. We often put emphasis on the day of rest in the creation narrative, and minimize the six days of work. Even the Creator labored six days before resting. There is dignity in work. When well done, it gives proper pride.
The third request was for a self with which to live. This is often a byproduct of a faith by which to live, and a work for which to live. When a person has a sense of pleasing God by the exercise of faith, and man by constructive work well done, there can be peace of mind.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1-2)
I, that boy on the dusty road, attest to these truths.
The Profile of a Plodder
“Plodder” is a euphemism for one who perseveres. It is their will, often in the absence of skill, that emboldens and enables them to achieve. They are driven by an inflamed desire to break down barriers, overcome obstacles, and do the impossible.
Today is an ideal time to resolve to become a plodder. You won’t regret it.
Robert Louis Stevenson observed: “Worthwhile people don’t just happen, they aren’t just born. They are born with the ability to become worthwhile. It is your job to discover and develop the man or woman you ought to be.”
Plodders see the security in playing it safe.
They smell the sulfur from side-track snare pits.
They hear the hollow laughter of mockers who stopped short.
They feel the fear of potential failure.
They are touched by the agony of defeat —- and still they persevere.
Moses is a classic example of an Old Testament plodder. He never would have led his people on their way to the Promised Land had he not been a plodder.
Paul is a classic example of a New Testament plodder. He never would have endured the Roman prisons and survived to write much of the New Testament.
William Carey is a matchless example of extra-biblical plodders. From his trade as a humble shoe maker he emerged as a scholar and linguist who started the modern missions movement. He lived by his motto:
EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD;
ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD.
He concluded: “I can plod …. To this I owe everything.”
Now, you can write your own plodder autobiography. Perhaps it could be entitled “How I Overcame Me.” This work is intended for those weary pilgrims who are contemplating giving up. This appeal: “don’t, plod on —- with me.”
Strengthen Your Spiritual Core
Core training is the in thing. There are specific exercises for our Obliques, Abdominals, and even Intercostals. Intercostals! Only heard of them recently. They are small chest muscles that help our breathing. All together they help form the area around and above our belt line. The well being of not only the abdomen but the rest of the body is dependent upon them.
They are illustrative of our spiritual core values. Like muscles need exercise so do our spiritual core values, that is what we believe. You exercise them by demonstrating them in society. Like muscles they become stronger by being exercised.
Core values are the fundamental beliefs of a person. Core values can help to affirm what is right from wrong. Those values we hold which form the foundation on which we make decisions and reflexively respond to issues in life.
To build our spiritual core our loving Lord allows us to be exposed to pressure and stress. By such, our true core of beliefs become internally strengthened.
Jesus taught on core values often. A modern translation of Matthew 7:24 makes this clear: “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life…. They are foundational words, words to build a life on.”
If you don’t know your core values, then you don’t have a basis by which to make decisions that will determine the very direction and destiny of your life.
Consider taking a bit of time within the next few days and list issues and state what you really believe about them. Include a Bible perspective on each. Take your time and write them out. Put them in a safe place and expand on them often.
Modern media influences our values. Counter it by programming your mind on God’s word. Remember, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
The best time to make a decision is before you have to so that when an incident arises you don’t have to make a decision under pressure. Having already made a decision regarding such an incident, all you have to do is employ the decision made in advance.
Now having read this Post, make a decision about what you are going to do about it. Strengthen your core.
Whatever You Do, Do It Heartily
There is a legendary D-1 football coach whose name will remain anonymous. He had an athlete who was an outspoken Christian. The young man had grown up in our church and was known for his faith. He was sleeping in, cutting class, and goofing off in practice. The coach called him into his office. On the coach’s desk was a Bible. After a brief opening chat, the coach pushed the Bible across his desk right in front of the athlete and said, “Show me one place in that book where it gives you the right to cut class, slack off in practice, and not be and do your best at whatever you do.” There was no self-excusing response.
The athlete got the message, reacted positively, became regular in class, and all out in practice. His grades improved dramatically, and he went on to be an All American that year. It was truly a remarkable turnaround.
All Christians are under this mandate: “… whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23) No room to goof allowed there.
Christians are to work “heartily.” The Greek phrase ek psyches, means “from the soul.” This implies the ideas of enthusiasm and passion.
You do not need to be in full-time ministry to work for the Lord. It is not so much what you do; it is who you do it for! If we keep focused on the truth that we are working for the Lord, then even menial tasks seem important.
Many people hate their jobs. They long for 5:00 PM or Friday afternoon. They think of work as something they must do in order to get paid so they can afford the house, the car, the tuition, the groceries, and the vacation they desperately want. Work, for so many is nothing more than a necessary evil. It doesn’t have to be this way.
The Christians who received this exhortation originally were slaves. By keeping their minds on the Lord, not their slave master, they found meaning. The same works for us. Focus on your spiritual Master, not your boss.
Then you realize, you are not working for Walmart, (or whoever) you are working for the Lord at Walmart. Even if you are no longer in the workforce, do all as to the Lord.
“Whatever you do,” no matter what, do it in a manner pleasing to the Lord.
As a conclusion consider this modern translation and application.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
He offers a great retirement plan.
Your Own Poolside Healing
In the Bible the Pool of Bethesda is described as having five porticoes—a puzzling feature suggesting an unusual five-sided pool, which most scholars dismissed as an unhistorical literary creation. Yet when this site was excavated, it revealed a rectangular pool 300 by 150 feet with two basins separated by a wall—thus a five-sided pool—and each side had a portico. (John 5:2-18)
As an aside the great Naval hospital in Maryland is named, Bethesda Hospital, which means “House of Mercy.”
So why a pool with two basins? The archaeological evidence shows that the southern basin had broad steps with landings, indicating that it was indeed a mikveh, a pool for ritual cleansing. The northern basin provided a reservoir, or otzer, to continually replenish and refresh the mikveh with fresh water flowing south through the dam between them. Jerusalem’s pilgrims would flock to the Bethesda Pool and Siloam Pool to purify themselves in these public mikva’ot and, at times, to seek healing.
Scripture indicates that Jesus performed most of His miracles and did most of His teaching around these mikveh.
About 50 years ago almost all of our health problems resulted from diseases, while today about 80% of them are related to our lifestyle choices.
Jesus asked the cripple at the pool an interesting question, “Do you want to be healed?” A lifestyle change can result in the healing of many of our problems.
Do you want to be healed is another way of asking do you want a different set of problems? Well people also have problems. The cripple got healed but his new life resulted in a confrontation with Pharisees who were angry over him being healed on the Sabbath. Then he had to be concerned about a job and paying taxes.
Today those who may seem to be worry free have problems. He can deal with smaller needs as well as the bigger ones.
Tom Hansel used to love climbing mountains until his climbing accident.
He has lived with excruciating pain ever since. His church family prayed long and hard for his healing. He still lives in pain, but in one of his books entitled “You Gotta Keep Dancin’” he writes, “I had prayed hundreds, if not thousands of times for the Lord to heal me – and finally he did heal me. He healed me of the need to be healed, and gave me his peace inside the pain. Joy is mine today – joy mingled with still ever constant pain – joy in the gladness of being alive. Daily challenges often leave me less than the best, but then something new emerges to surprise me: Hope – deeper and more enduring than ever before. Faith – not enough to move mountains, but enough to get me through this moment and the next. And love.”
There are all sorts of healing. Do you want to be healed? How in your life does that question apply?