Think Outside the Ordinary
“By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict…Moses regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because He was looking for His reward.”
- Hebrews 11:23, 26
As a pastor one of my primary assignments is to encourage and equip people to live out their God given purpose according to their giftings, their experiences, their places of influence, their relationships, and most of all according to God’s divine, good, and perfect will. This great passion I have to see people operating out of place of satisfying fullness, often turns into a heavy burden as I encounter people who are quite far from this being a present reality. Almost monthly I am listening to, encouraging, and praying with someone who is at a place of disappointment and deficit. In those times I find a person who deeply loves God, yearning deeply for something to change or something to come together: A twenty-something single who is struggling with loneliness, deeply desiring an intimate relationship; a person married for thirty years who can’t pinpoint when things changed or how things will ever be better with their spouse; a person who has a college degree, but does not have a career (or an annual income) to show for it; an individual who is faithful at their job yet everyday is a “grind” and they find their work as nothing more than earning a living, providing for their family, and preparing for retirement; a person who recalls a past experience where they felt God leading them into a place of service for His kingdom, but now are at a point of regret because something got in the way of that pursuit.
I am pretty sure as you read these examples, that at least one (if not all) sound familiar and strikes a chord. Some of us have been in those spots, are currently working through the struggle, or know a family member/friend who is “settling” for something far less than God’s very best. I have a family member who upon losing a high-level job (without any warning), never recovered in terms of being confident, satisfied, or happy. This epic rejection was written all over their face. As I consider all the conversations and encounters I have had on this subject, I realize that the only thing that will bring the fullest sense of identity, joy, and reward to our souls is serving the Lord in accordance to His divine purpose. Paul said it this way in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
One of the first (and beautiful) things to embrace, to break this chain of burden is to know that living out God’s purpose is not confined to the company we work for, the salary we make, or the title that is on our desk, door, or business card. I am here to let you know that the very thing God has designed you for and called you to may be outside of your “9 to 5” paradigm. As we look at what the writer of Hebrews says about Moses, it is clear that this amazing servant of God was not looking to a royal position or payday from Egypt to bring him happiness and fullness. He let go of all earthly things for the sake of a heavenly calling which is of far greater substance. Paul said it this way in Philippians 3:7, “But whatever were gains for me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
If you are in a place of working out your current GPS (God Purpose Station) in life, let me give a couple of suggestions to allow a starting place to something far greater. First, take time this week to read HEBREWS 11. As you read this faith-building chapter, look to identify with one of the men or women who the Scriptures have given us as an example to follow. Take time to reflect on and pray about what stood out in their lives and what they sacrificed for the sake of the Kingdom. As Hebrews 11:16 tells us of their life focus and fulfillment, “Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
Another consideration and investment to make that will pay godly dividends is to attend next month’s “AWAKEN” Workshop (Saturday, May 5th from 9 am to 4 pm). This partnership with CRM (Church Resource Ministries) and Pastor Robb Hattem is all about discovering who we are in Christ and how our priorities and passions are to be carried out during our daily living. This workshop will change your life! It will have you thinking outside of the box by focusing on a life that is about pleasing God above all else. Through the “Awaken” workshop you will discover how God has been present throughout the entire story of your life: How all you have encountered and endured can be used for an eternal glory. Join me and others from our church family for a time that will cause you to see God’s hand working in the past, covering in the present, and leading you into a bright future.
He is at work in you and wants your works to be for Him. I guarantee that when we each get to this place that no title, no salary, no accolades, and no accomplishments will compare. Let’s unlock the fullness of His design and destiny for us!