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Disclaimer:
Let it be known that I:
1. am not in any way saying that one cannot earn a living while fulfilling destiny.
2. am also not saying that for one to fulfill destiny they must live uncomfortably and wretchedly.
3. understand that conditions are not the same for everyone and opportunities abound for some more than others. However, with God there is always a way.
"For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]."
– Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 2:10[The amplified translation, emphasis; mine]
So, in the little number of years I've spent on the planet earth, I've come to realise that there are certain things that distract us from fulfilling the general purpose God has called us to and the specifics contained in it. These things the Bible aptly referred to as the 'Pleasures and Cares of life'. These are things that not only impede a believer's growth but limit his expressing of good works to others asides from himself and his loved ones.
In this century, there has been an increased hike in the cost of living and because of that, an increased hike also in the need to earn a living. The standard life goal of many men and women has become, "To work hard enough to provide a life of comfort for myself and my loved ones."
For this reason, many of us have sacrificed our days and our nights. Ranging from '8-5 jobs' to '8-8 jobs', not forgetting of course our classes at night. While I don't see any of these as a problem because they are in their own right necessary, it can become a problem when it shifts our attention from the main purpose of our existence – coming to know God and the Christ He has sent, and sharing about him to the world around us.
For those that are already born into a life of comfort, the issue becomes getting the most pleasures out of that life(This I'll discuss in another update by God's grace).
So what are we to do in this world of ever-rising needs and ever increasing demands to work harder, gain more knowledge and provide not only the basic necessities of life but much more for those we hold dear?
The answer lies in the words of Jesus. Words that are both piercing and against all that we have been taught to believe in, but truth and life to those willing to heed it:
"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both. If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
– Jesus: his sermon on the mount[Matthew 5:26-34, The Message Translation]
I remember the first time I really looked at these words. The first time I really listened with my heart to what Jesus was saying. I couldn't help but wonder, "Wait a second, is He trying to make us irresponsible and have us live unsteady lives?!" I couldn't understand it! I couldn't get why God would want us to live this way.
But then the words of Jesus hit me again, "Seek Ye first the kingdom of God. And then, every other thing will be added." It was then I realised that God wasn't trying to make us irresponsible or that He was against planning, or '8-8 jobs', or making sure food was available for the family. He was just against anything that would get us so invested in it that we relegated Him and His kingdom from first place in our hearts and lives.
"When we come to think this way, the burden of 'making a living' no longer becomes the driving force of our existence and no longer becomes an obstacle to achieving purpose."
Our Father wants to bring us to the point where our hearts are like the birds he spoke of – unfettered from the worries of this world and free to rest in the care of God. This is the state of heart God longs for us to discover. A state where neither the pleasures nor the worries of this world shake our stand or take our eyes away from what is most important. This is the state of mind He wants us to have every day for as long as we live on the earth.
When we come to think this way, the burden of 'making a living' no longer becomes the driving force of our existence and no longer becomes an obstacle to achieving destiny. Because then we realise that 'carelessly living in the care of God, our hearts and mind locked solely on His kingdom and unshaken by the distractions of this world' is the most blessed state of heart for any man alive.
We are loved and cared for.
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