Tag: purpose

Allgemein, Reflection on the Word

Imago dei

Bibs

Trusting God to take this writing and do his work, I will allow myself to jot down some thoughts in obedience and leave them in their imperfect form in my blog.
Inspired by the very concept I’d like to share with you today.

I got a fresh perspective on my Christian walk a couple weeks ago through a Bible study I had been working through. As a part of the homework, I was asked to reflect on the idea of our calling to be image bearers of God – imago dei.1 I will give you some passages and thoughts from the study later but let me first explain: This certainly was not the first time I had read the words “image bearer” in scripture, nor was it the first time I had heard in a sermon that we are called to represent God in this world. Yet something about the message hit me different this time around.
You know those passages in scripture that you’ve read more than once and still there is a unique moment in which one of those passages suddenly becomes alive like it never did before? A precious and intimate “aha” moment with God.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27

God chose to create us to bear his image, be his ambassadors, his children.
Contrast that to pagan religions where people crafted images of their gods out of wood, clay, or precious metals. They believed that their gods would then reside in these idols.
Not our God. He himself fashioned images of himself by creating us. Living, breathing image bearers that carry in them the Spirit of God.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” – 1. Corinthians 6:19

Let that sit.

So, what does it mean to bear God’s image in this world?
Well firstly, an image will let you get a glimpse of the original. Now here’s were the challenge comes in: Do people experience and see the almighty, loving God through you?
This question humbles me and reminds me of my many shortcomings and dependance on Jesus to shine through me.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” – 2. Corinthians 4:7

Having this hope that we may still bear his image amidst our failings, we cease to desire attention ourselves. Instead, we delight to see people turn their gaze to our heavenly Father in response to our obedience and conduct.
Perfectly loved, redeemed, and desired I may be, but this life is not about me. A daily battle against my selfish inclination.

From spiritual to practical. There is also an aspect of responsibility that clearly transpires from the passage in Genesis. God created us to be co-laborers with him.
Oh, how many times have I fallen into believing that I need to somehow work for God – leaving me frustrated and drained.
Instead, Jesus clearly showed us what it means to join the Father’s work:

“So Jesus replied, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” – John 5:19

Are you grasping how dependent we are on God?
Which brings me to another aspect – Jesus. God himself through His Son not only showed us what it truly means to be an image bearer but has made a way for us to actually step into that calling.
And what happens when we set our minds on bearing His image? In our dependance, we find Him: the one who knows us, created us, and in whose presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

The Westminster catechism puts it like this:

“What is man’s chief end?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.”

We strive to give Him glory in all we do, whether writing a blog or meeting with friends. Setting our minds on Christ, we rejoice in the love He has shown us and the fellowship we can experience with Him.

I pray that His word may lead us into more knowledge of Him and His desire for us. That we may step into the life for which He died for us to have, and enjoy Him here on earth and then forever more.

Amen.

  1. https://youtu.be/eW7qqn8D4pE?si=atGPZkBSplTL5dJl ↩︎
Reflection on the Word

My worth

Bibs

What we allow to define us and where it leads us

Has a fleeting thought of losing something ever put your mind into panic mode?
It’s not like anything has happened yet. It’s just a thought. But the storm it unleashes inside alarms you to the reality that you have attached a significance to this something. So much so, that it triggers anxiety and fear should that something ever be taken from you. Maybe up to this point you have not consciously observed your emotional attachment to it, but at the latest now you sense the tightening of your grip on this something.

For a while, I have been running a one-woman show when it comes to my church’s senior-youth program. And while it seems daunting at times, somehow God has faithfully provided me with the grace to run with it and even more so, enjoy it. Over the last couple of weeks, however, the pressures at work have challenged me to the point where it has dawned not only on me but outside observers that I could use some help with this ministry – a team, so to speak.
Now, you’d think that the idea to get a team around me would be a relieving and exciting idea.
It should be. However, if you may recall my introduction to this post, you can get a vague idea of the panic this suggestion triggered in me.

Why?

Well, after some checking-in with my heart and allowing the Holy Spirit in on the process, I found an interesting truth. One that doesn’t merely apply to my youth-ministry dilemma; One that made me much more aware of my need for God’s word; One I decided was worth writing a blog post about. So here it goes…

Who are you?

If you were to ask me that question I would tell you about my job, my relationships (friends, family, etc.), my talents and interests, my ministry at church, my faith, some quirky attributes of mine, and some adjectives I identify with. All of those aspects hold a special value in my life. They are key elements I have learned to identify myself with – I am a teacher, a daughter, a friend, a writer, a youth leader, sporty, creative, and so on. Over the years I have seen in them my purpose and my worth.

Where does your worth lie?

Did I consciously make my worth dependent on these things? No, but take one of those items in the list away from me and my feeling of identity and significance will begin to crumble. Show me that I am replaceable and watch the agony rise within me (Youth-Ministry dilemma right there).

The bold truth though is that we believe ourselves to hold much more significance to this world than we truly do. And when reality hits – we lose our job, are overlooked by people, or simply are replaced – we are shaken to our core and wonder what our purpose in this world may be. Am I suggesting that you are of little to no worth – not at all! But I am suggesting that we have placed our value largely in the fleeting things of this world and its echo. And to this world, you are for the most part replaceable. If we insist on proving our value through our works, our position in society, the praises of people, or base it on how we feel about ourselves, we will stumble… a lot.

Now here is the part where I give you some passages from God’s word. Because A, any reasoning of mine will always come second to God’s word and the power it has to transform and speak to the very depths of your soul. And B, because the only source that will withstand any changes, shaking, and turbulence of this life and your emotions is God’s word (1. Peter 1:25). And as I believe He has intimately created you, I would suggest that He is the only reliable source to determine your value.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

When we let go of the value the world has given us and begin to meditate on God’s truth, allowing it to redefine us, embracing how God sees us regardless of what our circumstances witness about us – there’s freedom. And my friend, the value God has bestowed on mankind – on you and me –has puzzled even the Psalmist:

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” (Psalm 8:3-6)

“Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you […]” (Isaiah 43.4)

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever would believe in him would have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” (Ephesians 1:5)

Wonderful isn’t it?!

Chosen, loved, precious, honored, and glorious!

Now, if you fear that these words would put anyone in danger of becoming proud, you are mistaken. The contrary is true. For if you read on in Hebrews 2:6-10, which quotes Psalm 8:3-6, you are reminded of Christ Jesus. All of your worth is based on Him. Everything you are – your creation and being, your significance, your right standing with God – it’s all in Him, through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16). No boasting left for you. And when you are humbled in this truth, seeing that God’s adorning love for you, and His purpose for you is all founded on what Christ did and who He is – well, no one and nothing in this world can take away or change that (Romans 8:38-39).
There it is, your rock-solid secure worth, Jesus Christ.

Putting this all back together in context with my Youth-Ministry.
I had believed that my position as youth leader in my church had added to my worth, given me a reputation with people and a purpose that I could identify myself with. And I was afraid of losing this meaning and position if anyone else would step into that space. It took God to humble me and remind me that I didn’t have to prove myself, didn’t have to care if people noticed me or not – for He, my God, sees me. I don’t have to cling to purpose or position. I am free to serve, love, and be all He desires for me to be in Christ; Free to pursue what is best for the Youth-Ministry.
It’s all because of Him and it is all that will ever matter.

May you take courage from God’s word today and allow God to redefine you according to His loving purposes. I pray that the Holy Spirit may reveal to you the places you have trusted in for your worth and significance and free your grip from them. That you may clothe yourselves in joy and contentment as Paul “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” (Philippians 3:8) and throw off all discouragement and fear. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Reflection on Life

New, Exciting, just not this…

Bibs

Getting to the root of feeling stuck and waiting
on God’s “bigger” and “better”

Have you ever felt stuck. I mean really stuck in life. The kind where all around you there seems to be this beautiful momentum but your life is just on hold or at most a slow progression in some unknown space. Maybe you have just come out of some momentum of your own but now there just seems to be that same old routine and that initial fire for purpose has dimmed down to a quiet ember. And apart from the occasional encounter with someone or an inspirational message here and there it really doesn’t seem like your life is moving in the purposeful or epic direction you had hoped for.

Should any of this hit home, let me assure you, that you are in good company my friend. I would like to describe myself generously as a visionary. I am not the greatest at executing plans but man can I dream up an epic adventure. Hanging on to so many words and dreams that spoke into my life I have spent much time longing for that purpose, that mind-blowing adventure to commence. Now, of course I have had inspiring and purpose-driven seasons in life. Times where I have witnessed God move in crazy and exciting ways. But every one of those “take offs” was followed by a crash-landing back to daily life.
From spiritual high to spiritual low.

One look at scripture and you will see that this is not something that seems to be highly unusual. Some of the passages and stories in God’s word happen to include lengthy seasons of desert – literally. This is not to say that some of my own loss of momentum in life hadn’t been on account of my own error, but God’s design for our life with him does seem to include a desert every now and again. It’s in those desert places where the nitty-gritty character-shaping workout often takes place. Where God seems quiet, and your best efforts seem to be but hot air.

I wish I could tell you a bullet proof way of getting out of that place, a way to kick-start that epic-God-given-purpose you have been waiting for. Maybe something that you read today gives you that kick – great! – if not, allow me to at least give you a fresh perspective today. I want to share with you a bitter-sweet truth that I am currently processing. Most likely a truth you have heard before – but reminders never hurt. 

Last Thursday evening my small group met to exchange their thoughts concerning previous Sunday’s message “heavenly ambition”. Prompted by one of the guys in the group, we all shared what we believe to be our “heavenly” ambition. And as I was listening, I reflected on my own “Paul-sized” ambitions; being a missionary and visiting all our partnering churches, helping with youth programs in less fortunate countries, being a known teacher/speaker around the globe, leading and discipling youth and young women and so on… when all of a sudden God interrupted my dreaming with a question:

How can you get so excited about a ministry in another country but feel contempt about the place I placed you in right now? Why do you feel a love for the youth in Armenia, but lack that same passion for the youth in your neighbourhood?

Ouch.
Allow me to elaborate…
I had been serving in the youth ministry in my church but lately had just not seen a lot of momentum anymore. As a teacher at a local school my hope for a revival among students and teachers had slowly faded. And my prayers for the people around me had been largely replaced with prayers for my day to day worries and challenges. I had become increasingly discouraged. And with growing discouragement my commitment and passion had begun to fade and my desire and hopes for some “bigger” and “better” purpose had begun to consume my daily dreaming.

And this is where God met me. Right where I was at, with a simple but profound question.

The simple truth, my friend, is that God had called me to serve just where I was at and had no intention of giving me a “new” assignment just because my passion for his initial calling was growing dim. He had given me a vision for my youth at church, at school and for the people around me and this had not changed but my efforts surely had.

And while others in my small-Groupe finished sharing their take on “heavenly” ambition the round came to a close with some final reflections from the guy who had prompted us in the first place:

It seems that we often get lost in desiring some ambition that someone else may be walking in – ambition that seems so much more exciting and glorious than the one we feel called to. And when you add all the noise of social-media-comparison on top of that you find yourself in a fog unable to see where you should be going. Each of us has a unique calling and like the analogy of the body being made up of many parts (1.Corinthians 12:12-27) the ambitions God has for us may certainly not be the same as that of someone else. Furthermore, our ambitions are to serve the body (the church of Christ) as one and therefor are crucial to those around us. So, us desiring and dreaming about someone else’s ambition will confuse us and, in that space, we will fail to walk in the purposes of God for our lives and those around us.”

There it is. Simple and sweet and maybe a bit bitter.
I don’t doubt for a second that God is keenly interested in taking you onto an amazing adventure and using you most mightily for his kingdom purpose in this lifetime on earth. However, his word also reminds us that God is looking for those faithful stewards.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” – Luke 16:10

This is God’s kingdom principle. The most epic stories in the bible are testimony to this principle. Allow me to remind you of some:

  • David anointed to become king, first spent years tending to his family’s sheep and protecting them and leading an outcast army in the desert before being placed as king to protect and lead the people of Israel.
  • Joseph had only a dream to hold on, while serving faithfully and with integrity as a slave for years before being put in charge as second over the Egyptian empire.
  • Job had no glimpse of God’s working for 37 chapters as he wrestled through loss and despair yet finding a place to worship God regardless of it all. And then also was raised up and walked into God’s blessings for his life.

And these are but a few of so many lives governed by this principle. Now, I do hope that your journey will not include years of deserts, but it is in those times that God has equipped those he called. So, take heart and ignite that passion for the purposes set before you today. Be it praying for that person God had placed on your heart, serving in kids church, sharing Christ’s love with your grumpy co-worker, or encouraging that stranger you walk past every so often. I believe God is looking for obedient and faithful people. Yes, a people who desire and dream big-kingdom dreams, but also those who will humble themselves where God placed them.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
– 1 Peter 5:6

This then is my prayer for you. That you may take courage from God’s word and the testimony of those who have walked before you in God’s purposes. I pray that the Holy Spirit may remind you of the places God has called you and equipped you to serve today. That you may experience his favour in those places and his grace in the desert places. That you may clothe yourselves in joy and contentment as Paul “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance” (Philippians 4:11) and throw off all discouragement and discontent.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)