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CHRIST-LIKE
When our attention shifts from our Maker to that which is created, our focus gets off track and we start to lose sight of what is truly important…
It seems like I’ve been stagnant for a while now. Why? I can’t really put my finger on the dot. I’ve been trying to recapture that fire that once burned deep within, but it seems like I’m distracted or something. Why can’t I serve God like I know I should? Why can’t I get over this hurdle that’s in front of me?
Have you ever felt that way before? Like you’re fighting a battle you can’t win? You find yourself on fire for God one moment and then the next you find yourself wondering if you’re still even saved. You ask yourself, “Did God really call me to this? Am I able to succeed in His calling? Is God even real or is this just something that occupies my time?”
Why do so many Christians struggle with what God has called them to do? Why do we continue to live defeated lives? Why are we never content with where we are at and satisfied with what we have?
We live in a society that is success-driven. Everything’s about “Me-First” and do all you can do to make it to the top. Everyone’s out to be number one. I have to have the biggest house, the nicest car, the biggest TV screen. We live in a materialistic society.
Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things too. I wouldn’t mind having a big house with a white picket fence and a dog named spot (OK, maybe not a dog named spot). I wouldn’t mind having extra money to throw around on buying the latest fashions and newest toys, BUT that can’t be our main priority.
Paul says in Philippians 4:10-13, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul was in prison when he was writing this letter. He wasn’t on a beach somewhere sipping on martinis. So for him to say that he was content with where he was at really means that he had a true understanding of his calling. He understood that his life wasn’t supposed to be easy. He knew that he wasn’t always going to be preaching in front of great crowds of people. He knew that not everyone would like him. What he realized was that no matter what circumstances came his way, he was still going to walk in Christ’s footsteps.
Our calling is to be Christ-like. This should be our main concern. Jesus never worried about what clothes He would wear or what food He would eat. He never worried how he was going to get from one place to another. He trusted completely in His Father and God showed Him what steps to take.
That should be our main goal as Christians, to lean upon Him for all our understanding (Proverbs 3:5). It really isn’t about how big our ministry is. It isn’t about how sharp we look on Sunday. It isn’t about how many digits we have in the bank account. It isn’t about what we do, but who we do it for.
We are made in the likeness of God. God is Creator of all things. He has given us that same gift, to create things in our lives. What has He called you to create? I know that He has given me the gift to write and to create music. I love playing my guitar and writing from week to week here at this site, but if that becomes my main focus, then I’m off track. When our attention shifts from our Maker to that which is created, our focus gets off track and we start to lose sight of what is truly important.
What is it that is truly important? It’s that we “Put Him First” in our lives and model our lives after Jesus, to be more Christ-like. Let’s continue to shift our focus back to where it belongs, to Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our soon and coming King. God Bless.
w/muchluv,
geno
DON'T FORGET TO HIT UP OUR MESSAGE BOARDS!!!! LET’S GET THEM GOING AGAIN!!!!
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