Taking It to Work:
Most of us start out, in our younger years, longing for the life that prosperity can bring. There is nothing more natural than to want the most out of life. In fact, in our children, if we we don’t see that desire to excel and be the best that they can be, we get concerned.
As employers, or leaders within the workplace, we like to see that drive in those who work in our companies or organizations. High achievers are generally a joy to work with, and are those who really help to move the world forward.
You may fit into that category, and actually I hope you do, but as a Christian in that high achiever group, you have to be aware of three very real threats to your true success. What is your true success? Your fruitfulness in God’s eyes.
We have to remember, our bearing fruit is why we are here in the first place. In fact, the scriptures today remind us that we were created and redeemed by Jesus just so we could accomplish the good works that were planned for us to do. These works don’t earn us salvation; they are what we were saved to accomplish. Jesus refers to it as our fruit. Good fruit from a good tree, and that’s from a life well lived for Him.
Now what are the three threats? They are found in Mark 4:19. Jesus says these are the things that will choke out the fruit that He cares about: 1) The worries of this life, which can paralyze us if we don’t watch out. 2) The deceitfulness of wealth; basically chasing the dollar all our life, thinking it is the solution to all our issues, and 3) The desire for other things, things that keep us distracted and far from His mission for us. Jesus says that any of these three things will choke out what He wants to do in our life, the very things we were actually created and redeemed to do.
What should we do? Well, first step, is to just be aware. Know that none of us are immune from these pitfalls, especially those of us who want to achieve all that we can in life. Second, pray. Ask the Lord directly if you’re out of balance, and what you need to do to get back on track.
Our mission is to bear much fruit. In modern terms, that is to have a great Godly influence on the world. That’s the highest achievement we can hope for, as His Word works in us, today.
Eph 2:10 (ESV) – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John 15:16 (ESV) – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.
Mark 4:19 (ESV) – . . . but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful.
John 15:8 (ESV) – By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Reality is the eternal. The place of time is but a passing test to draw to My Spirit. As you age in My Name, do you draw closer or do you drift? Is your eye on the gold of your youth, or the wisdom that affords holiness? Begin as all, but end as one who focuses on the goal far off, for the near treasure is but a mirage, satisfying only the pride of life, but giving little. Your days of toil are to give you provision that you might grow, not only in provision, but in holiness. Do not be buried in the earning, but in the growing as My child in My image. Your temptation is common to man, but you have a higher call. Seek first My wisdom. Pant not after the water of nations, but the living water of Heaven.
