“What will you be like as a Christian 10 years from now?” asked Billy Graham of the Urbana conference attendees in 1984. “Many will be walking with Christ and serving Him in various capacities in the world, but for others there will be tragedy because 10 years from now they will have lost their burning zeal and love for Christ. Not necessarily because they wanted to or because they set their hearts in rebellion against God’s will, but because they set their life by the world’s agenda.”
How would we answer Graham’s question? What would our family, friends, or spiritual mentors say when asked what we’ll be like in 10 years?
It’s been said that it’s the set of the sail, not the winds, that determines the final destination of a ship. Similarly, our future in Jesus is affected by what we focus on today. Are we still striving to love and serve God? Do our decisions and schedules reflect our pursuit? Do we base our agenda on Jesus and what He provides—seeking to live out behaviors and actions that honor Him?
In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul revealed that he had set his sail “to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:14). He did so by pursuing greater knowledge of Jesus, intimacy with Him, conformity to His ways, and living a holy—set apart—life. He refused to allow past failings and present distractions to knock him off course.
What will life be like for us in 10 years? In our jobs—and all of life—may we live out Jesus’ kingdom priorities as the Holy Spirit empowers us. And as we put into practice the wisdom revealed in Scripture, the Spirit will provide all we need to serve God faithfully to the end.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 20:20-40
More:
Read Jude 1:20-25 and consider what it means to persevere in our faith.
Next:
What course adjustments should you consider making to sail more purposefully for Jesus? How has God equipped you to continue living faithfully for Him?
BearPair on September 4, 2016 at 1:17 am
Excellent motivational exhortation Poh Fang Chia! Sometimes I believe we need such “plain speaking” at least on a weekly basis… we are so prone to swerve off the mark. Thank You!
Gary Shultz on September 4, 2016 at 6:18 am
“What will you be like as a Christian 10 years from now?” What a great question Poh. And the BearPair are correct, it should motivate us. If we are going to grow and be moved, even ten years worth, we need to adopt many good habits bound in a good plan. As the say you “plan the work and work the plan”, but you have indicated we often get off course for various reasons, and at least for me that is true. The faithfulness of this great God we worship will keep us on course, with a daily look to the “word” and prayer, and staying before Him. Allowing Him to adjust the course and to show us the set of the sail. I like to remind myself that we only get one shot at this, our future is marked by how we live our lives here. That moves me, but not as much as looking into God’s face each day. Thanks Poh…………(And Gagirl, I’m often the earliest, but not usually the wisest, God grants us all wisdom, in Him, thanks for your support.)
BearPair on September 4, 2016 at 7:22 am
Amen Gary! The Good News is that our God is the God of 2nd Chances! ;o)
gagirllive on September 4, 2016 at 8:36 am
Gary, you know I meant that in sincerity, right? I have only the highest regard for you. The practical wisdom you share on your posts is always a bright spot in my day, and I always look forward to reading your insights for the day’s topic. So yeah…I’ve renamed you our “Beloved Wise One”, and there’s not a thing you can do about it. 🙂 Case in point: “Allowing Him to adjust the course and to show us the set of the sail.” See? That word picture really drives the point home for me. That’s wisdom, sir! Keep blessing us, will ya?
hsnpoor on September 5, 2016 at 9:06 am
And let’s not forget living in such a way that our control exceeds our circumstances…. Good stuff, oh Wise One!
gagirllive on September 4, 2016 at 8:22 am
Amen, Poh Fang. The Jude passage reminds me of how faithful God is to preserve His own, but He does want us to live out our faith pursuing Him and stay the course in the journey as well. We must set our hearts on pilgrimage. Ten years from now? I like how Eugene Peterson says it—“Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction.” Thanks for the encouragement, Poh Fang. A joyful Lord’s Day to all.
Gary Shultz on September 4, 2016 at 11:56 am
Gagirl, of course I did. And I do like and appreciate the support. Many great things have come from you and others that post here on ODJ. That is one of the reasons God would have us work as a church, a body, so we are blessed, and so our scope is greatly enlarged by others. I was able to get in touch with another one of you girls and to tell her how much I respected her ” Sharing Stories”….. It is good you ask however; because I do enjoy pulling peoples chains.
gagirllive on September 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Haha…yes, I figured you were yanking my chain, but I needed to be sure. Wouldn’t want to get in trouble with you. Be blessed, BWO. (You know what that stands for now.) 🙂
johnswanson on September 4, 2016 at 11:56 am
A blessed Sunday to all.
minkjh on September 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Poh Fang, your opening paragraph really grabbed my attention, and I like your perspective on the sail. Sadly for some, what starts out as a promising voyage doesn’t reach the true destination. Our Lord himself experienced this when we read in John’s gospel that many disciples turned back and no longer walked with him (6:66). Staying the course can be difficult and unpopular as the world continues to diverge further from the one and only Truth. This was Paul’s emphasis when he cautioned the church in Rome about worshiping the creature rather than the Creator. May all of His chosen stay faithful and true and finish well!
peejesusc on September 5, 2016 at 2:29 am
AMEN