"Do you not know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 corinthians 9:24-25
The TV show "The Voice" puts this in perspective for me. They can't see what kind of person is singing, but it doesn't matter. They are judging the Voice, not their appearance. So God does.
The singers do it for a dream that will not last.
But we do it for a Dream that wil soon end. Then for Eternity.
My charge to you is are you racing towards Jesus? Do you live for the crown of Eternity with Him?
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
O for Grace to trust Him more
"Do not consider him based on his appearance or height . . . The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
Today I was thinking about disappointment. Rather, disillusionment about dreams and things hoped for, things expected, and things necessary. For me, dreams fit in all three categories. We hope for them, we expect them to be, and they can be necessary for vision. But they become dangerous when they become one's ultimate reality.
A scripture that has fascinated me recently is Jeremiah 29:11-14a (I encourage you to read it yourself and listen to what the Spirit says to you).
If we let our dreams become our reality, we miss out on the plans our Father has for us.
Oswald Chambers wrote, "No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ's own, 'a servant who is not greater than his master' (John 13:16), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work - He calls us to Himself..."
"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come to pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I wil be found by you, declares the Lord..." Jeremiah 29:11-14a
If you want your dreams, you must let them go first, let them die, as you let your flesh die, and let Christ resurrect them in Himself. Let it go.
"He must become greater, and I must become less."
John 3:30
"But Zion has said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.'
'Can a woman forget her child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, but I will not forget you! See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me . . . Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you. As surely as I live,' declares the Lord, 'you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride.'" (Isaiah 49:14-16,18)
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future . . . You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and bring you back from captivity . . .'" (Jeremiah 29:11,13-14)
Say you'll share with me
One Love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you love me
That's all I ask of you
God wants to lead you from the place of Captivity. He sent His beloved Son (John 3:16) for Love of you.
"Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her Beloved?" (Song of Solomon 8:5a)
His Love is the message of the Prophets, of the Apostles, and of Jesus. He doesn't want your religion . . . He wants your heart. He wants you to seek Him with all of your heart. When you do, you will find Him. He will lead you from your solitude . . .
