Don’t Get Caught Fantasizing
Do you ever find yourself worrying about your career future – your position at work, your title or responsibilities? Do you wonder how valuable you are – whether your skills should be “seen” more clearly by others, whether you should be promoted and/or paid more? These are common questions – and feelings. They are probably asked more silently and out loud in the United States than in any other country in the world. We are often caught up in positions, effectiveness, responsibilities and remunerations.
James, John and their mom came to Jesus one day with a request. Mom wanted her boys to have the highest positions in Jesus’ coming kingdom. Jesus gave an interesting response. He made it clear that Kingdom leadership – and Kingdom participation for that matter – involves great suffering. There is a cost to following Jesus. He also said that in terms of position, “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20:23) He indicated that these disciples could not earn these positions, nor could Jesus appoint them. This was a matter of the Father’s will – not striving or networking.
Do you think that Jesus was only referring to these ruling positions in heaven, or might he have been developing a much broader point? Psalm 75:7 says that God is the One who judges, He brings down and exalts, He demotes and promotes. Jesus makes it clear in the sermon on the mount that we need not (and should not) worry about such things (Matthew 6:25-34) – that we should live in the present with “I Am.”
We will be our best selves when we focus our attention on doing what God calls us to do - the way God wants us to do it. This will bring Him the most glory, positively impact the most people and satisfy us most deeply. Costs, hardships, promotions and demotions will come and go, but walking with and serving God intimately will last through it all and into eternity.
In general, God’s way is to serve, build and lift others. When we set our eyes on this lifestyle, our lives can take on a new sense of contentment, joy and purpose. Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy, that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) However, worrying about and striving for position is not godly, nor does it lead to contentment – it will never satisfy.
Do you find yourself overly concerned about the future – worrying, dreaming or fantasizing? It might be time to take authority over your mind. Turn and delight yourself in the Lord in the present … and entrust yourself and your future to Him. This is not always easy; it is a practical matter of faith. God is with you now, are you with Him? Are you experiencing His presence and His leading? “I Am” wants to live through you now, are you aware of what He is doing? He wants to extend His Kingdom though today! There’s no need to worry about your position tomorrow.
