On Target

"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint." -Proverbs 29:18
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Wasting time is never wise in living the Christian life. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about sitting back and letting life pass you by. Rather, the apostle Paul repeatedly addresses the need to discipline ourselves to achieve our utmost for God's highest. Buffeting our bodies and taking on the mind of Christ, we are to live each day wholly committed to doing the Lord's will. In fact, God commands us to present ourselves as living sacrifices that He might use us for His glory - no matter what time or day of the year (see Romans 12:1).

 Until the Lord returns, God expects you to be about His business each day using the gifts and talents He's given you. Don't be like the lazy servant in the parable of the bags of gold who hid his gold in the ground (see Matthew 25:14-30). Instead, come to the Lord each morning in prayer and discover God's purpose to keep your life hitting the mark. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

 -Taken from Homeschool Mom's Bible; devotions by Janet Tatman; p. 671

 In an article on the blog Desiring God titled "Jesus Did Not Die for 'Comfortable'", Ryan Lister writes:
"Scripture uses active verbs to describe the Christian life. 'Draw near, persevere, fight, strive, walk, encourage, stand firm, hold fast, obey, work, put to death, adorn, serve, labor' — the Spirit uses these words to propel the church from concept to reality.

 These commands are intended to help us become Christlike in our walk, and to bring us to the fulfillment of God’s mission. New Testament disciples are soldiers (Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; Philemon 1:2), athletes (2 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:1-2), and crucified new creations (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We run (Hebrews 12:1), fight (2 Timothy 4:7), and take up arms (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we finish well and accomplish God’s purposes while we live.
Don’t settle for anything that keeps you from Jesus. Instead, take up your cross and follow him, wherever that may lead. Remember, Jesus didn’t leave the eternal convenience of heaven for the fleeting conveniences of this world. He came to destroy our idols so that we might have him forever.
Following Christ leads to something better than the world’s temporary comforts; it leads to a true and better rest. We know the end. The hard road leads to God himself. Your Savior guarantees an eternal reward that outshines all the false conveniences of the world."
I know I can tend to be a "Martha" in the sense that I am a "doer." I believe in doing a good and thorough job in all things as "unto the Lord." I don't do things as a means to earn anything from God. I do it out of a desire to serve others and out of devotion to the Lord. For this reason, this devotion and article stood out to me. I don't want to be seen as a lazy servant, but as one who presses on toward God's goal for my life.

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