(Length: 6 minutes)
Over the last few weeks I have been dwelling on the verses Hebrews 12:26-29,
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:26-29
What has stood out to me the most is how all the things of this world, the things that have been made, will be shaken. The only thing that will remain is the Kingdom of God and all that is inside of His kingdom. All of our life that is not for the kingdom can be considered vanity. A mist. A vapor. This brought me to think about Solomon and his teachings in the book of Ecclesiastes. He wrote the book in his old age after he had lived a life to the fullest. He was one of the wisest men to every live, he had incredible wealth, influence and power in his lifetime. He indulged in things of God and not of God during his life and at the end of his life says that all of life is vanity. All of wisdom is vanity. All wealth is vanity. So if everything is worthless than we should just throw our hands up and say what is the point, right? Well, for me, if we are able to look at the end of life, death, then it gives a clear picture of our purpose in life and our day to day life! Not a single person in this world is promised tomorrow, how does that effect how you live today?
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
Few are our days that we have on this earth and death could just be around the corner for any of us. To read what Solomon has to say is terrifying, humbling, yet so exciting at the same time because we get work hard and find enjoyment in all that we do. Going back to the start, we get to find enjoyment in working for the kingdom of God, that “cannot be shaken.” So, now you might be thinking a couple different things: “I don’t think spending my whole life serving God sounds very enjoyable” or “I thought you were talking about finding enjoyment in your life, not serving” or “I’d rather do my time serving God and then spend my other time doing what I want to do.” Maybe you weren’t thinking those things but they are all thoughts that I have had before. I want to explain how living an enjoyable life and serving the Lord are actually not separate things.
Two years ago I was working for an organization called Appalachia Service Project. A team of 5 of us would host about 100 high school kids in central Appalachia and assign them in teams to work on different home repair projects for the people living in poverty. They would spend their week helping repair a floor or roof or stairs, but more importantly, they would get to spend a week loving and caring for these families who are living in extreme poverty. Everyone that came and served for the week would leave and tell me how it was one of the best weeks of their lives. That confused me a lot because I knew these kids were sleeping on the floor, had no cell service, and would be doing dirty manual labor all week. I didn’t understand, but after a while it made complete sense to me why these kids were having the time of their lives. In James 1:27 it says that pure and genuine religion is loving the orphans and the widows. If religion is the worship of God, then it says that worshiping our Lord happens by loving the needy of this world. Despite the fact that these kids had less than ideal living conditions for the week, they were truly worshipping God and because of that, joy, peace, love, and purpose visibly flowed out of them. I believe this happens any time we intentionally serve the needy. Take Luke 10 for example, Jesus sends out 72 disciples on essentially a short term mission trip to surrounding towns to heal the sick, cast out demons and spread the gospel. They did just that and then returned to Jesus with joy! Joy!
The Lord provides our joy. We often forget that. It doesn’t come from making a comfortable life for ourselves or “building up larger barns” like the rich fool in Luke 12:16. It is not bad to have a good life, wear good clothes, eat good food or have a nice house, it just can become a distraction and our life is meant for better things than that. To spend glorifying God by loving Him and loving our neighbor as yourself. I know there is a big “love yourself” movement right now that actually does have some truth in there. But Jesus calls us to love others like we love ourselves! I will admit, it is easier said then done. I am currently on the World Race surrounded by ministry opportunities every day. I’m learning that this has been the easiest year of ministry of my life (so far), yet the most challenging physically and mentally. I am constantly pushed outside of what I am comfortable with and that actually makes it easier to forget about my own needs and tune into what God wants for others. But the opposite can very easily be true while in the States, that being so concerned with self development and our own comforts that it can make us forget about all the physical and spiritual needs around us in our very own city or neighborhood. I think of the countless sermons and Christian books that train us on how to be better Christians but forget a very key piece. To take what has been poured into us and pour it out to others! I think of Jesus who performed the SAME number of miracles as He taught parables. He taught just as much as He did. If we go to church once a week what is stopping us from serving the people in our neighborhood at least once a week? That is the example Jesus set for us. What that service to others looks like is different for everyone depending on what gifts the Lord has given you. Well you might say that you aren’t Jesus and can’t perform miracles or you aren’t a talented preacher or evangelist. Those are more than likely true, but Jesus has given you the Holy Spirit and says that the Church will do even greater works than Him. We are the church and we are not to quench our gifts that God has given to those who seek His face! The Lord uses us in ways we didn’t think possible despite our sin and despite feeling incapable. I never thought I would pray healing for someone – but I have, I never thought I would preach in front of a church – but I have, I never thought I would be there to see demons cast out of people – but I have. All the glory to God because none of those things could have happened without the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.
The Lord wishes to fill us with His everlasting love everyday. Our time is precious and can be easily wasted if spent living only for earthly things (things that will be shaken) and not spent on what is everlasting. I believe He wants to do that by spending genuine time with you and by the radical call Jesus gives to love others as you love yourself.
How do you enjoy serving people?
What are earthly things you do in your life that could be eliminated?
How does viewing your time on earth as precious change what you do?
Thank you for reading and hearing what the Lord is teaching me! I encourage you to spend some time with the Lord and ask these questions. I would love if you wanted to discuss anything further! Until next time!
