I am still dwelling on John Bevere´s book, Driven by Eternity. Some of the ideas he talked about have really been swirling in my brain.
One of these has to do with legacy. I have read many times about living with your legacy in mind. How do I want to be remembered, what effect do I want my life to have? Bevere takes this to a whole new level when he discusses multiplication. He is discussing how we influence others for the kingdom of God. How this looks to each person. Producing fruit that lasts.
Bevere compares the legacy of Jonathon Edwards, who was a missionary and preacher, with Max Jukes, who I guess was a well known atheist and contemporary of Edwards. Bevere compares what is known of the descendants of these two men, and because it has been a week since I read that I will give what I remember. The descendants of Max Jukes- cost the state 1.25 million dollars. 170 died as paupers, many criminals, many prostitutes, alcoholics etc. I believe he had 500 descendants and not one was listed as successful. The descendants of Edwards- 1,300 of them- did not cost the state one cent. college presidents, professors, missionaries, pastors, governors, senators, 1 US vice president, doctors, lawyers, hundreds of college graduates. That is the difference in legacy between a Godly man, and a man who has said in his heart, there is no God.
Another interesting idea was making our calling sure. That God does not judge us compared to others, God does not even judge us on the good we have done in our lives, but rather he judges us compared to what he expected of us. God judges us on our obedience to who he created us to be. That God planned our place in his eternal kingdom, even when he was creating this world, and it is up to us to hear from God who we are supposed to be. This is interesting in the stories he tells, even of pastors who were called to the business world, but thought they should be pastors. That even being a pastor might not be what God intended for you, and that God had lives for the person to touch in the business world. Bevere uses a guy who was called to be an accountant.
So I bring this up, because I am always telling people in these blogs about the need out here and the need to be obedient. That God has called us all to the great commission. For me, right now, that means where I am, and I am sure of that. I am not sure where God is calling us in the future, though. And just for those who are in the private world or the business world, that if you are sure that is where God wants you, then be confident and live in obedience.
The last point that was really interesting was based on a story of David, which I actually just read. David and his men go to get what belongs to them, and 200 were left with the supplies. When the men came back from battle with the plunder, the ones who fought did not want to share with those that stayed behing. David said that everyone would get an even share. The basic idea is when we are all working together, the fruit that results is rewarded to all. So I am applying that to our supporters, that for our eternal rewards, our supporters will be rewarded just as we are for what is going on out here in this world race. Bevere says that is how this all works.
So, make your calling sure, be obedient, pour into people, and continue to pray for us, for it seems our reward in heaven is truly great.
