I surrendered all my dreams of conquest when I realized that all I would have to show for it is the World (Larry Fineheart, Numbers)
What a great quote. I think it points me to who I am and where I am in my walk with Christ. And more than that to the reason why I have a walk with my lord and savior Jesus Christ. When I read this quote I see in it a picture of a realization that there must be something more to life than this. Something that we can grab onto and point to as why we exist. I know my limitations. I know that for me, as the James Bond title states, the world is not enough. I need more. I need something to grab onto that will then grab onto me. Any of us that have found our passion know what that feels like. I have been taken completely and without remorse. God has me and I have Him. Paul says, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12 (NASV) this is the imagery I cannot waiver from. I want to grab hold of the one who has taken hold of me. And then to think that one day I will get to grab hold of the one that now hold’s tight to me.
This cry rings in the heart of every man and woman on the planet. Is it any surprise that the song by Mercy Me, "I can only Imagine" did so well. We recognize this innate desire to be engulfed by something so great that, in our wildest dreams, we cannot even begin to fathom it. This is our God. This is the only dream worth holding on to. All other dreams must be laid aside compared to the desire to know, truly know, God.
Often we run into people who have not found this desire for something more. Yet do you not think that if we could communicate this passion for the creator of passion we would have no problem filling our churches and changing lives. Do we live this or is this just a way to get to heaven. I often wonder if many Christians view salvation as a way to heaven and Jesus as a nice bonus. If we, as Paul says, "lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus" we can change first ourselves and then the world around us for then they shall see the one in us which we hold onto. Instead of just another Christian trying to be good they may just get a glimpse of Christ in our lives. So let us give up our dreams of Conquest and live in the dream of knowing God the way that He knows us.
Hey R.J., Thanks for the post. It caused me to reflect upon my walk and I realize that I need to examine my walk as a Christian a little closer. I asked myself if my identity as a Christian is just a way to get to heaven? I realize that I often apply Christ to my death (eternal) and not to my life (temporal). Lucky for me our walk with the Lord is a process that will continue untill we do reach glory. I am thankful that we serve a God who is full of grace, mercy and compassion. Onward and Upward Brother!