Where is your life going? If you were to ask 10 people on the
street that question, what you think would be their answer? From my
experience, I have found that many people are simply drifting.
Where is your life going? If you were to ask 10 people on the street that question, what you think would be their answer? From my experience, I have found that many people are simply drifting.
They may have some short-term goals in life, but they have never really given any thought to the big picture. Even when you look at many of their short-term goals, you find that they have no idea of how to get there. Sadly, many people give more thought to their vacations than they give to their life. Even when you know where you want to go, you still need to know how to get there. You either need a map in order to plot your course, or you need a guide to direct you.
And if you have the opportunity to choose between the two, a guide is much better than a map. With a guide, all you need to do is simply follow. Do you know where you’re going? Do you have a goal? Do you have a map? Do you have a guide? How do you know that you are on the right road?
The apostle Paul expressed his passion to know Christ and there is no doubt that Christ was Paul’s goal in life and for eternity. Paul knew his goal and he knew how to get there. It was as simple as following Christ.
If we call ourselves Christians, then the goal of our lives ought to be Christ. Just as he called those first disciples, Jesus calls us to follow him. But how can we fully follow Jesus and avoid the wrong turns along the way?
There are certainly many pitfalls, many twists in the road. Sometimes we come to a fork in the road. Which way do we go? Yogi Berra once said that when you come to a fork in the road – take it! Unfortunately, I have taken that advice to often. Sometimes that fork leads to a cliff. So how do we follow without falling?
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17 NIV). We need to be reminded of what we have been given in Christ. We have received love, acceptance and forgiveness from the God of all creation. We have been given God’s Word and His Holy Spirit to reveal that Word to us and guide us through life. We also need to recognize that God has given us examples to follow. We need to follow those who follow Christ.
Paul had given them an example to follow and he encourages them to follow his example. He said the same thing to the church in Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Although Paul was not perfect and never claimed to be, he was earnestly giving his all to follow Christ.
We need to look to others who are sincerely following Christ. We need others who are walking on the way ahead of us. We need to follow their example. We need others.
You see, Christianity is personal but not private. By that I mean that each individual must have a personal commitment to Christ. I can’t decide for you and you can’t decide for me.
But after that decision is made, we find that we can’t do it alone. We need help. And that’s why God created the church. The community of God’s people is the place where we receive God’s help.
Sometimes we find ourselves discouraged. And at times like these we need encouragement. We need others to encourage us. Sometimes we find ourselves growing complacent. At times like these we need someone to come alongside us and challenge us.
If we are going to be the people God has created us to be, we need to be challenged occasionally, perhaps even often. Sometimes we not only become complacent but also start to stray.
We need people who care about us and our spiritual future to caution us. Otherwise we will continue down the wrong road.
And when we continue to backslide, we even need a stirring rebuke. The most loving thing that someone can do when we are in that condition is to rebuke us. And if they really love us, and have shown that love over time, we will receive that rebuke as a loving act. It may save us from a lot of unnecessary pain.
The bottom line is that we need help, and God has provided us that help through others.
So, do you know where you are and where you are going? Is someone helping guide you through this life?
God offers His guidance and the support of His family called – the Church.
Abundant Life Foursquare Church, with Pastor Bob Rufener is located at 790 Bolsa Road, Hollister. For information, call (831) 636-9144.
