But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
Have you ever been homesick? To be somewhere other than the place that is safe, loving, and strengthening. To miss being around loved ones you have been sharing life. I joined the military in 1985 and boot camp at Fort Jackson, SC. I was excited and looked forward to the new challenges. Yet, even with all the new experiences, people, and loud drill instructors, there were moments my heart and mind would wander home. It was interesting that no matter how noisy, chaotic, demanding, or wonderful things became at Fort Jackson, the home still had my heart. At times things seemed pointless, and there were days I felt like I was just going through the motions to complete this assignment. The fact of the matter is that there are things that have value to us temporarily and eternally. However, the eternally valuable things will guide our hearts and minds through the foggy days of life. Are you losing sight of your direction in life? It happens to all of us young and seasoned, but thanks be to God who has not left us without help.
God has made us dreamers and to have a vision for our lives. Paul encourages us to keep the heavenly vision and press toward the goal so that we receive the reward of the called of God. Yet daily, we are bombarded with tasks and toils. The to-do list continues to demand our attention at home, work, and the church. Some tasks left undone limit our and others functionality and progress. Some tasks are pressed upon and seem to have no value to us but everything to someone else. Busyness is normal pre-pandemic and, in a pandemic, but in the pandemic, there was pushback. Why? The pandemic exposed the futility and emptiness in many things that had become a priority in our lives. The people in our lives matter more than our things and titles. Somehow, we lost our way, but our loving God sends us an opportunity to reset. Ok, I get it; everyone does not see this opportunity, but they are still trying to turn back the clock. However, the divine reset is not to go back but to reset our thinking and priorities to move forward in the world as it is now. We all need to have people in our lives going in the same direction we are who can be signs for us along the way; we are still on the strait and narrow path. Therefore, Paul says, follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). In times of uncertainty and charge, our direction must not be detoured by signs along the way that are not for our destination. Look around and be honest; who are those in your life going in the same direction toward your destiny with Christ Jesus?
It amazes me how persons can take advice from anyone who is offering it and let the chips fall where they may. The voices that speak into our lives must be authenticated and supported by the living word of God. When we follow the worldly crowd instead of Christ, we can expect smoke and mirrors. You can expect distractions disguised as opportunities with lies and illusions of the truth (Phil 3:18-19). The bad influences will put physical desires over the interest of others, praise themselves, and their hearts and minds depend on earthly things. Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned against the entanglements of the National Socialist regime of Germany and the Confessing Church. The Nazi party rose to power surprisingly with supporters who claimed to be followers of Christ. Bonhoeffer said, “when the Bible speaks of following Jesus, it is proclaiming a discipleship which will liberate mankind from all man-made dogmas, from every burden and oppression, from every anxiety and torture which afflicts the conscience.” Programs and policies are to serve the people and not the opposite. Following the bad influence can lead to unnecessary detours, delays, and destruction of meaningful relationships. Can you recognize the difference between an opportunity or a distraction?
Our hope is exposed over and over when we find ourselves in places of unfamiliarity or instability. We find ourselves looking for someone or something to hold on to gain our footing. Many of us struggle with a state of chronic double-mindedness, hoping in whatever is served up to us. We hope in the new job, hope in the new president, hope in the new relationship and hope on Sunday we hope in Christ Jesus. We shift hope so much; no wonder we see so much instability in our own lives and those we love. James warns us that a double-minded person is unstable in all our ways (James 1:7-8). We must have the right and clear goal of glory! Glory is our direction and destination in and with Christ Jesus. When our minds are single in this, we can then press toward the goal with all might and spiritual vigor representing our eternal home on the earth.
Father, thank you for providing the source of our strength and the source of our hope in Christ Jesus. Our sufficiency is in Christ and him alone in whom there is no greater hope. Help us to stay on the narrow path with all who are following Christ. Guard our hearts and minds against distractions that lead to destruction. Empower and strengthen us by your resurrection power and presence to press toward our eternal destiny with you forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Because He lives,
Pastor Reggie Sheppard