“For I know the plans that
I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to
give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to
Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for
Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard addresses the nature of
true humility by suggesting we think of an arrow soaring on its course toward
its target. Suddenly, the swift-moving
arrow halts in mid-flight to see how far it has come, how high it has soared,
how its speed compares with another arrow, or to apprehend the grace and ease
with which it flies. Right at the moment
when it turns to focus on itself, the arrow falls to the ground.
We are quick to quote the portion of today’s scripture that
refers to God having a plan. However, it
is the verses that follow that bring God’s plan into reality. God wants our attention on Him to guide us
into His blessing and promise. There are
many who know what God has promised and set out to claim it on their own. As they move along they look side to side to
see how others are doing in relation to them.
Failure is certain! God’s
blessing is from Him, by Him and in Him!
Preoccupation with self is counterproductive to reaching our
goals. It is the opposite of humility,
which is preoccupation with the Lord.
How many times do we compare ourselves to others and measure our success
or failure according to someone else’s life?
The Bible says this is not wise. For we
are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend
themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare
themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12
The reason God tells us that comparing ourselves to others
is not wise is because His plan for our life is totally unique. If we have a question about our life, we
should look to Him. As for evaluating
ourselves, the Bible says we are to examine our hearts making certain we are
walking in faith and purity toward the Lord.
II Timothy 1:6 exhorts us to
stir up the gifts God has given us, and Jesus made it quite clear in the
parable of the talents that we are to use all the abilities and resources God gives
us to give glory to Him. (See Matthew 25:14-29.)
Whether we are examining our hearts or using the gifts and
talents God gave us, our focus is always on the Lord. Our motivation is to please Him, draw closer
to Him, and serve those He leads us to serve.
The irony of the Christian life is that when we give our lives to God
and to others, we receive true joy and fulfillment. It is when we hold onto our lives and are
consumed with our own selfish desires and interests that we are miserable and
nonproductive.
I want to thank God for the promises we have in Him and
trust that I will remember to focus. He
promises to take care of everything. So
keep your focus on Him, and don’t let Satan tempt you with doubt or worry.
Scripture to Claim:
Test yourselves to see if
you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about
yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
