Today I turn 51 years old. In the grand scheme of things it is just another year but for me, the years become increasingly important and valuable.
At the turn of this year the Lord gave me clear direction for the rest of my life. It did not involve new things, ideas, or ministry, but a different focus and sense of purpose. Several verses were pressed upon my heart to guide and guard my passions, activities, and direction for the rest of this year and beyond. I will share those below but, first, let me give you the wording of what I sense the Lord pressed upon me. What was clearly in my spirit were these words:
Everything that I have called and given you to do must be given a singular and passionate
focus this year as never before. If you do not move in this way, this year, none of what I have
you to do will ever flourish, and I will give it to another.
I shared this with the other pastor at the church where I serve as the preaching pastor, and I summed this up for him in one word: "URGENCY." The scriptures that the Lord gave to dominate my frame of reference for this year are below. These are broken down into two principles.
Principle #1: Be willing to sacrifice this life to fulfill your purpose
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my
course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace
of God" (Acts 20:24)
"Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not
only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).
I am amazed at the singular passion that the Apostle Paul had for Christ. While he was just a man, he was more for the kingdom than what most Christians are. Nothing mattered to him, not even his own life, over completing God’s purpose for his life (Acts 915-16). If finishing his course meant being imprisoned, so be it, if the Lord received glory from it. He knew what his purpose was, and, therefore, he understood the stewardship required to fulfill it. Many do not know what the Lord has for them. He will, in time, show this to any of us who have a small hint of passion for Christ's fame and glory.
I know what my purpose is. In truth, I have known for some time. The problem has been, and I say this to my shame, that I had other purposes that I kept trying to make God's purpose for my life. Ever heard the phrase: "Man plans and God laughs?" If that were a stage play, I would have been the lead actor. Denzel would have nothing on me! The scripture puts it this way: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21). That part!
In all of my stupid attempts to play God, however, He remained gracious and merciful towards me. He let me act foolish and, all the while, was shaping me for His plan. For that reason, there is a sense of urgency to complete the assignment He has for me.
Principle #2: Without Discipline There Is No Reward
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So, run that
you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a
perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating
the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself
should be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
I am certain, one thousand percent, that God will not do for me that which He has called and gifted me to do. Waiting on Him does not mean waiting on Him to do what he called me to do! If David did not pick up the rocks and the slingshot would his death have been God's fault? If I do not make the intentional effort to walk in His plans and purposes for me would the emptiness of my life be His fault? Of course not. Sinful actions and sinful affections always quench the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
This does not undermine my need for and dependance on His power and strength to achieve His ends. I need Him to do His will. So, I look to him and pray to Him for the wisdom and power to do such. But, after laboring in prayer, I must get up, order my life around His glory, and start laboring, by grace, for His glory. Grace does not merely erase my sin; it empowers and is the reason for) my righteousness which is reflected in my ability, desire, and willingness to grind for God and His glory (1 Corinthians 15:10). Therefore, Paul disciplined (beat) his body (passions) into subjection so that nothing would hinder his disciplined and determined plan to win the race.
For Paul, if he did not have this sense of urgency to win the race and to not be disqualified, he would not have understood the need to discipline his body for the singular purpose of victory.
My life, though far below that of Paul’s, is no less important that his because my purpose, though different from his, has the same goal: the glory of God displayed in a life lived and poured out, for His fame.
I am thankful for 51 years of life, but I am hungry to achieve God's purpose in my life for the rest of my life. I want my life to count for Christ, today and beyond. I want His desperately desire Christ’s life to be displayed in my life such that people see Him in me. Therefore, I have and continue to structure the whole of my life - relationships, time, disciplines, etc., - around the singular task of being able to say,
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has
come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his
appearing (2nd Timothy 4:6–8)