What’s noteworthy about you?

When people think of you, what do they think next? Bev, my wife, elicits thoughts of children and a classroom full of learning centers that are designed to encourage little brains to develop. She’s all about teaching first graders and she takes great delight in opening little minds to the wonder of reading! I cannot think of a person I know personally who loves music more than my friend, Jake, whose name is synonymous in my mind with guitars and beautiful sounds. It is true that each of us is known differently by people who see us in various roles and places. Yet, I hope that in the list of things noteworthy about you and me is the love of Christ and His Church is not far from the top!
Paul, writing to Timothy, says "You … certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance." (2 Timothy 3:10, NLT) Very near the end of his life, Paul could honestly say to one of the men who knew him best - “Tim, you know I’m not about acquiring wealth. Applause and acceptance doesn’t matter at all to me. I’m been consistent and it’s clear Who and what drives me on.” There are people for whom I cannot name an overarching purpose. They dabbled for a while in art, were passionate about a ministry for a time ‘til the novelty wore off, then; they were on to a scheme to make money. The lack of a singular purpose, or the unwillingness to keep at it when it was disappointing or hard to do so, has made their lives remarkably without effect on the world.

Paul also wrote: "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:10-11, NLT) That expression of purpose was not a resignation to fate, nor was it a reluctant sigh from an old tired man. After 20 or so years on the road, after some incredibly painful experiences of rejection and persecution, he was still pursuing a deeper intimacy with the One he served. As the 2nd letter to Timothy shows, he never lost his focus! There are glimpses in his letters of discouragement, of pain, of great weariness. It’s not hard to imagine days when Paul told his friends in ministry, “I’m going back to Tarsus to make tents and live a quiet life in obscurity.” But, a good night’s rest and a meeting with the Holy Spirit at work brought him back to living ‘on purpose’ rather than by default.

When your life is in the final chapters, what will be noteworthy about you?
Will it be what you owned, who you knew, where you lived, or what you did – or will it be how you knew and served Jesus in that unique way that He made possible with your circumstances, your personality, and your spiritual gifts? In his best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, opens with these lines; “It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. … You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.”

Here’s a word from the Word. Own it! "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)

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All I once held dear,
Built my life upon,
All this world reveres,
And wars to own,
All I once thought gain
I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now,
Compared to this.
Now my heart's desire
Is to know You more,
To be found in You,
And known as Yours,
To possess by faith
What I could not earn;
All surpassing gift of righteousness.

Oh to know the power of Your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings,
To become like You
In Your death, my Lord;
So with You to live, and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You,
There is no greater thing!
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You, Lord.

Knowing You
Kendrick, Graham

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