A "chance" encounter with a person of faith prefaces today's thoughts. A conversation with this young man struggling with the dissolution of his marriage and the challenges of raising two young children as a single parent brought truth into focus with new excitement and clarity. The conversation turned to our preparation to rule the world with Christ at His return, and the purpose and meaning this brings to daily existence. The effect of this perspective was evident with this young man, who was eager to hear more and was obviously reframing his life situation with this truth. The power of God's truth was immediately apparent in its effect.
Sharing with this young man, I found myself gravitating toward a great truth spoken by the apostle Paul: "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). These words fell on the fertile soil of a struggling person of faith who eagerly desires to persevere, and who knows full well the "tribulations" along the path to the kingdom.
It's been said that anyone can endure the "what" of their lives so long as there is a clear "why". The "why" is the purpose and direction of life and, for the believer, it is preparing to rule the world with Christ at His return. That's it; period. All of life is about making us fit for the kingdom, and developing good stewardship so as to be a wise government ruler under the leadership of Christ. This is the end result, and everything else is the process to get us there. And this "why" gives purpose and perspective to the "what" of our daily existence. Aside of this "why", life will be nothing more than a bewildering array of triumphs and tragedies.
The cynic's bumper sticker reads, "life is hard, and then you die". The true perspective is that life IS hard as you journey toward the kingdom, and then you die, but eventually you are raised to new life to rule the world with Christ. To lose sight of that perspective is to lose sight of all that truly matters.
The young man walked away from our conversation with the same trials and tribulations of life, but the load seemed noticeably lighter as he pondered this new perspective for his life. It was a joy to strengthen the soul of this disciple by encouraging him to be steadfast in faith through the tribulations on the path to the kingdom. May you find the same strength and encouragement today.
Steve
Sharing with this young man, I found myself gravitating toward a great truth spoken by the apostle Paul: "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). These words fell on the fertile soil of a struggling person of faith who eagerly desires to persevere, and who knows full well the "tribulations" along the path to the kingdom.
It's been said that anyone can endure the "what" of their lives so long as there is a clear "why". The "why" is the purpose and direction of life and, for the believer, it is preparing to rule the world with Christ at His return. That's it; period. All of life is about making us fit for the kingdom, and developing good stewardship so as to be a wise government ruler under the leadership of Christ. This is the end result, and everything else is the process to get us there. And this "why" gives purpose and perspective to the "what" of our daily existence. Aside of this "why", life will be nothing more than a bewildering array of triumphs and tragedies.
The cynic's bumper sticker reads, "life is hard, and then you die". The true perspective is that life IS hard as you journey toward the kingdom, and then you die, but eventually you are raised to new life to rule the world with Christ. To lose sight of that perspective is to lose sight of all that truly matters.
The young man walked away from our conversation with the same trials and tribulations of life, but the load seemed noticeably lighter as he pondered this new perspective for his life. It was a joy to strengthen the soul of this disciple by encouraging him to be steadfast in faith through the tribulations on the path to the kingdom. May you find the same strength and encouragement today.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:16 AM
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