Questions We All Ask (part 3)

Who Am I? Why Am I Here, What Am I Supposed to Do?

     We have answered the first two questions. Who am I and Why am I here? In this segment we won’t to answer the question, what am I suppose to do? Obviously, you need to know the answer to the first two questions first. Now we can answer this question, what am I supposed to do? Most people were taught to seek the American dream. That dream for my generation was to go to college get a good job and you wouldn’t have to work hard. The other part of the dream was to get married, get a house with a picket fence two kids a dog and a station wagon. Although there is nothing wrong with any of these things, the problem is God was left out of the equation.

Knowing the answer to the first two questions tells me that in stead of seeking the American dream. I am to seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33 tells me to seek first the kingdom of God and right relationship with him and everything I have need of will be added unto me. This is not just a bible verse it is reality. The American dram without first seeking first the kingdom of God is an allusion and a delusion. God knows you have need of all these things companionship and family, food shelter and financial provision. Our forefathers had the right idea that is why they came to America. Somewhere their vison for America was lost and a new American dream emerged.

     What does it mean to seek first the kingdom? Knowing that I was created in Gods image to develop his character and to have dominion and mastery in the earth, gives me purpose. That purpose inspires vision. Without a vision the people perish. In other words, without knowing who you are, why you are here and what you are suppose to do, life is meaningless. It becomes; I owe I owe so off to work I go. That is no way to live your life. My mother had a small plaque that said “Only one life and soon will pass only what is done for Christ will last.” I just turned 79 and believe me when you are in the winter season of your life this saying makes a lot of sense.

     I think unknowingly the church has helped to create some of the confusion. I know growing up it was my understanding that if I chose to give my life to Christ that he might make me be a missionary to Africa. It seemed to me the emphasis was get saved go to church don’t sin and don’t hang out with people that do. Look forward to going to heaven when you die and seek some position in church where you can work for Christ while you wait. I didn’t want to be a preacher because I saw how the religious people treated them and I didn’t wat to be a missionary. I wanted to be a builder but that was never elevated as a position where you could do something for Christ.

     Everyone came to earth with a gift and a talent. It would be mighty cruel to come to earth with no way to take care of yourself and your family. That gift and talent is what God expects you to use to provide for yourself. Once you understand what your gift and calling is then you are ready for vision. Scripture tells us to write the vision and make it plain so he may run who readeth it. God is our example he has a plan and he had it written down in the bible. It is plain so that we are able to apply it to our lives. This is the vision for seeking first the kingdom and right relationship with him.

     First, we enter the kingdom through the door. Jesus said he was the door so he is the key to the kingdom. In a kingdom the king is the ultimate authority so we have to submit our life to him. That is the first step and the hardest. He gave us free will and we hate to give that up. That is where faith comes in believing that his will for me is better than anything I could dream up. Once we submit to him, we ask him for wisdom by reading the bible and beginning to apply what we learn. This is how we build a right relationship with him. As we read ask seek and knock, we will begin to recognize our gifts and talents and we can begin to seek how he would have us use them.

     As we begin to walk with him, we will begin to get and idea that is when we write it down and make a plan how to start out making this idea a reality. The bible says God works with us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. In other words, God wants to give you and idea and work with you to see it come to pass. God needs your body on earth to carry out his plan. The whole purpose of all of it is to glorify him and accomplish his purpose on earth. In other words, you don’t have to be a preacher, missionary or church worker to do great and mighty things for him. You never know who is looking at your life to see what it is about you and your life that seems to have meaning.

     Actually, the word ministry and service are the same Greek word. First and foremost, you serve or minister to your family because they come first. Then if you are a professional, trades person or anyone that serves people you are ministering to people. Gods desire for you, in that position, is to serve the people that he puts in you path with all your heart and to represent him and his character with your work. Don’t work for money work to serve people and money follows service. Next, we are to carry that same spirit into the community where he has placed you and then wherever God leads from there.

     This is what Jesus meant in Acts 1:8 when he said “you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you and you shall be his witnesses in Jerusalem Judea, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth.” This is not a religious exercise. It is a practical way to walk with God, as he originally intended for Adam, and to accomplish what you can with him empowering you and walking with you.