As we said yesterday, this Abundant Life is all about our new relationship with God. As we grow in Christ, one of the major things He does is transform our perspective. We must go from earthly-minded living, where the majority of our focus is this temporal life, to a Heaven-bound mentality, where we begin to think of our eternal future more. This requires God’s guidance as we must maintain a humble and wise balance between these two worlds. As the saying goes, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” (Oliver Wendall Holmes Sr) But we also do not want to be so earthly minded that we forget to “store up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven.” (Mt 6:20) That is, we want to point others to Jesus as well, because we realize that our future is not in this world, but in Paradise with God. God will help us balance these two as we choose to listen for His guiding voice and simply obey.
In his book, Mr Wilkinson says, “Jesus wanted them to see their future from the perspective of heaven.” (pp 19-20) God never wants us to wonder why we are here. Once we are His, we are learning who we will be forevermore…but if we are still planting our eyes firmly in this world, we can miss the lessons that will help develop us into this New Creation that will live in Heaven forevermore. God has told me often that this world is “University Earth,” a school of sorts where we learn to be who we will be for all eternity. If we are His, then we will be His child forever. In addition, we are to grow to be more and more like Him, so that we can be loving, peaceful, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. (see Gal 5:22-23) This is the Fruit of the Spirit and this is who we are supposed to become. And so God uses all the “pains and gains” of this world to shape us into this godly image.
A key to wanting to be transformed is to understand that God’s Plan is better than ours. Again, ours is based on this fading world. His is founded in Eternity. Mr Wilkinson reminds us that “Our dreams, like the disciples’, are always too small.” (p22) God does not desire for us to have a temporary kingdom here. God wants us to join Him in His Eternal Kingdom forevermore! The more we listen for, and obey His Voice, recognizing it because we know His Word, the more God will grow us so that we can enjoy and share the Abundant Life we already have in Christ.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
<>< Peace, Diane
