I gave up on my dream of playing basketball in the NBA a long time ago. Jesus is enough for me. Is he enough for you?
When someone wins a public competition and he (or she) is interviewed, we often hear him say to everyone listening, “Don’t give up on your dreams.” The problem is that most of the world should give up on their dreams, and enjoy the Lord through their daily lives that they have incorrectly considered “mundane” or “boring.” Too many people have literally been “crushed” because their dreams have not come to fruition. The Scriptures however indicate that even the mundane (eating and drinking) must be carried out in a way that brings glory to God. If the goal of life is to bring glory to God, then what do we care if we are bringing glory to God through our eating and drinking, or if it is through winning a competition, or through digging ditches, or through suffering, etc.? If our dreams are what life is all about, then life is not worth living unless we reach them; however, if life is about bringing glory to God through living a changed life as a result of the appropriated finished work of Christ, then whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, all can be carried out for His glory.
Men, women, and children do not dream about what they already possess. Their dreams are always out of their reach… and if Christians and non-Christians alike are not content with what they already possess (Phil. 4:11, Heb. 13:5), then they will miss out on enjoying the Lord through the normal daily blessings in life. You should therefore give up on your dreams if you want them more than you want God. If your dreams do not come to fruition, will you still enjoy the Lord through what you already possess? A blind man dreams about seeing, while a seeing man dreams about excelling, while the excelling man dreams about dominating, while the dominating man dreams about monopolizing, etc. The Christian man however must only dream about God being glorified… whether through him excelling, or him perishing, the mature Christian is willing. Are you willing to spend a million dollars for the glory of God? What about suffering with cancer for the glory of God? Are you willing to live to be 100 years of age, having your family and friends healthy and wealthy too? What about being willing to lose your family in a car wreck for the glory of God? Sorrow and Joy: God can be glorified in both. He is faithful regardless, and this faithfulness does not hinge on Him providing perfect temporary lives, but rather hinges on His identity. For this reason you can enjoy Him through something as simple as eating and drinking. He is the source of all good things… whether blessings or comfort in the midst of calamity, we can enjoy Him. Enjoying Him is the goal… not fulfilling our dreams. Thus, continue to dream, but ultimately dream about God alone being glorified in your life through all that you do. May we be eternally satisfied in Him alone. If you’ve got Christ, you have all that you need. Jesus is enough:
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13
“All I have in Christ”
What are your thoughts?