Revelation 5:10 (ESV)
“…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.” (ESV)
Life is a learning process preparing one for an eternal position in God’s family business, the Kingdom of God.
As we learn to serve others from a heart of love, and exercise leadership to govern ourselves and others in the Triune God’s way of freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment, we slowly integrate HIS attitude, values, and character into our inner being and soul.
Like a small mustard seed with proper watering, sunshine, and nourishment grows up into a large tree, Christ-followers mature into the image of their Lord and Teacher.
As apprentices of our Great Rabbi, we study, observe, and mimic what we see to become more and more like HIM. Every situation, challenge, and opportunity life throw’s us is a learning step. Whether we immediately overcome or suffer a temporary setback, lessons are gleamed and integrated into our inner being to prepare us for the next challenge.
Like a two-year old learning to walk, we may fall multiple times, but each time stand right back up and proceed to keep moving forward. The joy of growing and experiencing more of who we are and what we can do is greater than the short-term pain of the moment.
We focus more on the process than the outcome realizing God will generate the spiritual growth within us. We may grow 30%, 60%, or even 100% more than when we first started our journey, but also recognize and acknowledge the fruit is God’s actions and not ours. Yet we also know our efforts demonstrate our willingness to walk with our Creator and will eventually form the habits built upon HIS godly character which leads to a more productive and viable life.
To take what we learn from life’s experiences each and every day and integrate those lessons into our inner soul and being, lays the foundation to maximize our potential for good work on God’s behalf and for the sake of others. How much we grow from the overall experience is an open door only God knows for sure. Our role is to make ourselves available and apply ourselves at the task at hand.
Most of the work will be joyous because you are building on your internal gifts God has bestowed upon you. Yet some of the work will be outside of your giftedness. In which case, it may be a challenge and burden. However, because you know you are being prepared for eternity, you accept the task at hand as part of the learning curve. Before you know it, you have mastered the lesson at hand and moved on to the next assignment. One day you will look back and realize your current success was due to the lessons learned during that ordeal.
God wastes nothing. In every situation you encounter, God is producing something in you which will eventually bloom and become known to you. You may have to wait years before you realize what the lesson was all about, or maybe even when you cross over into the next age, as hindsight is always 20/20.
But as Revelation reveals, God has made us to be priests (to minister) and to reign (leaders) in his eternal Kingdom. “Have made them” means God is currently training and preparing us for these roles. Or as I stated in the first sentence, life is a learning process preparing you & I for an eternal position in God’s family business – HIS Kingdom.
So, accept every day as a new day to learn something new, find ways to integrate the lessons into your daily life, and watch how the Holy Spirit manifest’s HIMSELF in you laying the foundation and growing HIS fruit through you. There is more going on than you and I realize each and every moment. Grasp at what you can and watch what and how God produces one of HIS masterpieces in you and in others.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Author of e-Books
* Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married
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