WHAT IS THE GOAL OF YOUR LIFE?

I find Jacob’s prophetic word about Issachar particularly apropos for many Americans.

“Issachar is a strong donkey,

    crouching between the sheepfolds.

He saw that a resting place was good,

    and that the land was pleasant,

so he bowed his shoulder to bear,

    and became a servant at forced labor.

Genesis 49:14-15

Issachar was strong, but he spent his energy in getting out of labor and responsibility. He recognized a comfortable resting place and he saw good things that he wanted. That is what he sought with his life. As a young man he may have asked, “What is the Lord’s will for my life?” Many young people ask such questions. But he decided the easiest route and the most comfortable way of life was what he really wanted. But it did not turn out to be so good in the end. He found himself a slave to comfort, leisure and luxury. And to maintain that lifestyle, he wound up working 80 hours a week. 

I need to be honest with you who have been looking at the will of God. It will not always be easy or fun. You will have to sacrifice for it. So, what benefit is it? Let me point out three things that you get from pursuing the will of God. They are Character, Purpose, and Satisfaction.

 

CHARACTER

One of the greatest benefits of seeking and following the will of God is what you become rather than what you attain. Would you rather drive a material Cadillac or become a moral and spiritual Cadillac?

PURPOSE

Meaning in life comes from having a high purpose. For Christians it is not finding your purpose in life, but God’s purpose in eternity. We join God in what He is doing on the earth. Anything less than that will in the end prove to be meaningless.

SATISFACTION

Satisfaction does not come from getting all the chocolate you want. In the end what we see as the sweet life will always disappoint. Eternal satisfaction is satisfying God. Nothing will be so fulfilling as hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

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It’s Raining

 

It's raining here, enchanting all the trees.

Humbling summer's harshness to its knees.

Calming filtering softening every light,

Blending vivid contrasts to autumn's delight.

It’s raining now dripping from the colored leaves,

Cooling and refreshing with a gentle breeze.

Not raining cats and dogs with their noisy quarrels,

But hummingbird wings in smoky swirls;

It's misting still, undisturbed by howling gales.

In calming stillness the forest now inhales

Its final breath in calm anticipation

Of winter's freezing sleep and hibernation.

Foliage on the ground forms a musty coffin.

Dying leaves into earthy compost soften,

Entombed in peace in confident reflection

Of springtime and its resurrection.

This poem was published in the book TAKE ME TO THE GARDEN, by Jonna Padgett and David Young.

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A HAVEN

I love the blessing given to Zebulon by Jacob and its application to America and the church of Jesus Christ.

“Zebulon shall dwell at the shore of the sea; 

he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon.”

Genesis 49:13

The land of Zebulon with its place on the sea became a refuge for ships from distant lands and for foreigners who needed a haven. Have you read the poem, The New Colossus, which is on the bronze plaque at the base of The Statue of Liberty?

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus

Wave after wave of Americans came from the rest of the world. And yes, God forgive us, those who came in previous generations were often prejudiced against new people coming to our shores. They looked different. They talked different and had not learned our language. Their customs were noting like ours. But we also became stronger with each new group of immigrants. 

I always enjoyed living in The Puget Sound region which, like the land of Zebulon, became a haven for those who came from other lands. God gave me many friends. I came to consider of them as my children from other cultures who spoke other languages as they were rapidly learning English. I thank God for you whom I taught and encouraged as you taught and encouraged me.

I have recently been reading the Book of Acts whose theme is the gospel reaching out to all peoples on the earth. As Paul wrote in Galatians 3

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, 

there is no male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.”

The gospel breaks down every social or cultural barrier that separates people. Most of us need to struggle with this truth with one group or another. But as we draw nearer to Christ, we come into the true unity of the church of Christ.

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CHARACTER AND HOPE

 Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4

When troubles come upon your life like storms upon the sea,

Let your heart rejoice, knowing God is working all the while.

God’s power in your life will overcome the enemy.

When your circumstance seems harsh, God is present in your trial.

So, glory in your tribulations though they test you sore.

Our God is building character in ways you cannot see.

And though it sometimes seems you cannot handle any more,

God is planting faithfulness in you for eternity.

Draw near to Him in your quiet time, in His word and prayer.

Stretching vision beyond yourself gives eternal scope. 

Still walking on this Earth, a taste of heaven you can share. 

Let patience have her perfect work of character and hope

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