Saturday, May 01, 2004
40 Days of Purpose Day 6
Life is a temporary assignment
Have you ever thought about life on earth being just temporary? That eternity would render our time on earth as a brief second in time. The Bible in Job, 8:9 says, "For we were born but yesterday... Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow." Making the best use of your life on earth requires two truths: that life here on earth is extremely brief, compared with eternity. And second, that earth is only a temporary residence. As Rick Warren said, "You won't be here long, so don't get too attached." We must ask God to help us see life on earth as He sees it.
The Purpose Driven Life asks you to imagine living as an ambassodor in a foreign country that is an enemy of your country. To complete the assignment, you'd have to learn the language and the customs of your host country. You'd be aware of these differences, because you have a home country to return to, and being in a foreign country would simply not isolate you from the enemy. But you would have to contact and relate to the people of that country.
Suppose then, that you fell in love with the country and adopted their ways and ideologies as your own. You'd end up preferring it to your own home country. Now, your duties as an ambassador are compromised as your adopted country's priorities are your own, not your home country. Because it is an enemy nation, you become an enemy of your country by your actions. You'd be a traitor.
The Bible says that we are "Christ's ambassadors." Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and His Kingdom. They have foolishly decided that as they live on Earth, it is their home. It is not. The Bible makes this clear in 1st Peter 2:11: "Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul." God is warning us not to get too attached, because it is temporary.
Don't assume that because you have obtained material success or popularity that it is God's goal for your life. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or ministry. Don't focus on temporary crowns, rather, the focus must be on those activities where your life will prove abundantly in heaven.
Warren presents one more thought: "You will not be in Heaven more than two seconds before you cry out: 'Why did I place so much importance on things that were temporary?' What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time and energy, and concern on what wasn't going to last?"
Tomorrow: The reason for everything.
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Have you ever thought about life on earth being just temporary? That eternity would render our time on earth as a brief second in time. The Bible in Job, 8:9 says, "For we were born but yesterday... Our days on earth are as transient as a shadow." Making the best use of your life on earth requires two truths: that life here on earth is extremely brief, compared with eternity. And second, that earth is only a temporary residence. As Rick Warren said, "You won't be here long, so don't get too attached." We must ask God to help us see life on earth as He sees it.
The Purpose Driven Life asks you to imagine living as an ambassodor in a foreign country that is an enemy of your country. To complete the assignment, you'd have to learn the language and the customs of your host country. You'd be aware of these differences, because you have a home country to return to, and being in a foreign country would simply not isolate you from the enemy. But you would have to contact and relate to the people of that country.
Suppose then, that you fell in love with the country and adopted their ways and ideologies as your own. You'd end up preferring it to your own home country. Now, your duties as an ambassador are compromised as your adopted country's priorities are your own, not your home country. Because it is an enemy nation, you become an enemy of your country by your actions. You'd be a traitor.
The Bible says that we are "Christ's ambassadors." Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and His Kingdom. They have foolishly decided that as they live on Earth, it is their home. It is not. The Bible makes this clear in 1st Peter 2:11: "Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul." God is warning us not to get too attached, because it is temporary.
Don't assume that because you have obtained material success or popularity that it is God's goal for your life. The abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success in a career or ministry. Don't focus on temporary crowns, rather, the focus must be on those activities where your life will prove abundantly in heaven.
Warren presents one more thought: "You will not be in Heaven more than two seconds before you cry out: 'Why did I place so much importance on things that were temporary?' What was I thinking? Why did I waste so much time and energy, and concern on what wasn't going to last?"
Tomorrow: The reason for everything.
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