May the mumbling commence!
What purpose is God going to use me for? What purpose is God going to use you for? The way we live our lives helps to define the use God will find us useful for. Read from Second Timothy chapter two:
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (Verses 20-26)
The way we live our lives is informed to the greatest extent upon what we pursue with passion and commitment. If we pursue anything but God, we will eventually find ourselves doing some ignoble things. Sometimes ignoble things must be done, but do you and I really want our lives being known and remembered for doing ignoble things. God calls us to greater things.
Paul tells Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth. He doesn’t list any of these evil desires, but we can identify them pretty easily. Some of them come with “adult” rating and “adult only” signs. Do not be fooled. These are the definition of juvenile. Some come with labels of “for mature audiences”. Do not be fooled. These are the definition of immaturity.
What are we to pursue so that we can be used for godly purposes – noble uses? Paul does list some of these pursuits to Timothy. They are: righteousness, faith, love and peace. These things grow from calling upon the Lord with a pure heart.
And we have NOT reached spiritual maturity when we find ourselves embroiled in argument and controversy. My conception of righteousness is incomplete. I rely on God, and I realize that knowing God is enhanced greatly by being in community of other Christians – particularly other Christians who have different points of view…
Kindness is another tool that is important to use. Seek to teach. Before we get on our soap boxes, we must remember that a good teacher listens to and understands where students are coming from. A good teacher learns just as much or possibly more than their students learn.
Teaching in this way takes a gentle hand. Teaching in this way has the divine potential to help us come to our senses. Yes, I need to come to my senses just as much as the next Christian. We all do. Thinking that we know it all is a trap from the devil – making us captive to his will.
If we are to be captive, let us be captive to the will of God. It is pleasing and perfect for us.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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