There is a hunger inside of each of us to matter, to be
loved, to feel that what we do is worth something to someone. In thousands of
ways, people make the statement - "Hey! Look at me!" Some chase meaning in their work. Others try
to pile up wealth. Some go counter cultural, with outlandish hair or clothing that
makes them distinct from the crowd. The
impulse is the same – to avoid being invisible. Is your life
grey and blah leaving you with the feeling that if you disappeared few, if any,
would take much note? There is Someone who knows you, who gives you purpose,
and in Whom you can discover the fullest life possible – now and forever!
In Genesis, there is a story of human struggle, a desire to ‘make
a mark’ that met with God’s displeasure.
"As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of
Babylonia and settled there. They began saying to each other, "Let's make
bricks and harden them with fire." (In this region bricks were used
instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) Then they said, "Come,
let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky.
This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the
world." (Genesis 11:2-6, NLT) God saw their conceit and He confused
their language and drove them apart. Their folly was forever known as the Tower of Babel. The desire was not
wrong, but the way they answered it was focused on Self.
The desire for purpose and meaning is planted in you by your
Creator who made us in His image to
be creative, to love, to have a reason to exist. Genesis says that He breathed life
into us, that being a statement that we are not just mammals driven by an
evolutionary need to propagate our DNA! Eternity is written into our hearts. We
sense time’s passing. We become aware that this window of time is short, and,
by the Spirit, we learn that there is a home for us in His Presence, if we will
trust Him and let Christ Jesus bring us to peace with our Father.
In all of that, there is just one choice allows us to live contentedly: serving God's purpose!
The godly can find great contentment in Him, regardless of their place in this
world. We can give ourselves to Christ Jesus and in Him our lives are given
meaning beyond any we might find in achievement of recognition by other people
or accomplishment.
The conceit of
humanity is a game for fools. King Solomon played it like a pro. He gained
admiration from far and wide, built amazing public works, enjoyed sensual
pleasures on scale we cannot even imagine. In the wisdom of advanced years, he
looked back. His words, written as he neared the end of this life, is a
wretched cry of regret for a wasted life. "What
has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing
new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is
something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our
time." (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10, NIV) "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are
meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14, NIV) These are the thoughts of a man who came too
late to understanding of life’s true purpose. His wisdom is shared to spare us
the sorrow that will inevitably come to us IF we spend our days chasing the
ephemeral rewards of riches, pleasure, or human accolades.
So, how does Solomon tell us to live? "Remember God...
remember... "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
(Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV) Jesus
similarly points us beyond the horizon of time to find our true North. “Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s
safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where
your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.”
(Matthew 6:20-21, The Message) How will
you spend your time and treasure? Pray for clear vision that reaches all the
way to Heaven. Don’t waste your life trying to build a tower of Babel! The lie
that we can make ourselves matter is persistent and powerful.
Here is wisdom that sets us right. It is our word from the
Word - "Since you have been raised
to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where
Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things
of heaven, not the things of earth. For
you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And
when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share
in all his glory." (Colossians 3:1-4, NLT) Your
REAL LIFE is hidden with Christ, in God!
_______
(worship at this link)
Let the King of my
heart
Be the mountain where
I run
The fountain I drink
from
Oh He is my song
Let the King of my
heart
Be the shadow where I
hide
The ransom for my life
Oh He is my song
You are good good oh
You are good good oh
You are good good oh
You are good good oh
Let the King of my
heart
Be the wind inside my
sails
The anchor in the
waves
Oh He is my song
Let the King of my
heart
Be the fire inside my
veins
The echo of my days
Oh He is my song
You're never gonna let
Never gonna let me
down
You're never gonna let
Never gonna let me
down
When the night is
holding on to me
God is holding on
When the night is
holding on to me
God is holding on
John Mark McMillan | Sarah McMillan
© Meaux Jeaux Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
