By the time he was 40, Paul McCartney was in two really big bands in his career. He was in a small little band called the Beatles during the 60's. To say they had a major impact on rock n roll music might still be minimizing their contributions. During the 1970's, he was also in a band called Wings. They had a lot of catchy hits and were very popular. By 40, he was in the process of becoming a popular solo artist. Paul certainly had a lot of accomplishments by the time he was 40. As a matter of fact, he is still rocking out arenas around the world in his seventies.
Why do I bring up Paul McCartney? Other than that he is an awesome singer/songwriter who I turn up the speakers in my car when his tunes come on? That he's gotten a lot accomplished in his life than most people? That's true, but he represents a point that I will try to make.
There are many times in my life, where I do a self-assessment on my own life. I am 44 years old and I sometimes wonder about the choices I have made over the years, mistakes I made, and whether I am accomplishing anything in this life.
I was a very smart kid in school. My teachers and parents saw it and encouraged it. I know my teachers said I could be whatever my mind desired and succeed at it. Good at math, the sciences, history, etc.. Whatever field of study I pursued, I would be successful at it. So, I sit here at 44, having been an accountant for twenty plus years, thinking to myself if I have short-changed myself.
I started out going to be a chemical engineer, but quickly went into business school. Why didn't I become a lawyer, scientist, or doctor when I had the chance? I was smart enough, maybe I was afraid of failing and settled into something easy.
Now, I don't ponder this all the time. Mostly this occurs after a particularly hard day at work. You wonder if I could have changed the future with better decisions.
I think we can also get that way in our walks of faith. Am I doing enough? Is this all life has to offer? Am I just trudging through life with not much excitement? Is there more I can be doing?
I think I can get that way in my faith because I am not preaching on Sundays, leading worship, teaching bible studies, or going up front with a prophetic word. You can believe that you are not involved because you are not doing "professional" church stuff. There is the trap that you can feel by not doing the "professional" church stuff, you may doubt your standing with God. This can cause you to try and work harder trying to attain God or you can become bitter or unhappy because you are not where you expect to be. You could set yourself up for disappointment attempting to do stuff that isn't in your skill set. Trying to gain the grace of God by doing "good works" or the "right" ministries will only lead to failure if your mindset is on achieving God this way. If you are doing things as a response to following God's call, then that is a different matter.
The grace of God is a free gift. No amount of work we do will be sufficient to earn it. It is freely given to us. It is tough because we always believe there is a catch to free stuff, so we strive to earn it or do the right things. Or, we worry about losing it, so we work hard to be "perfect".
Are we doing enough? The answer is no. There are places I fall short. There are things I should be more involved in or doing better at. But, if I am doing things to attain heaven, then I will miss out. If I think I am not a good enough Christian because I am not a preacher, missionary, or worship leader - I will miss out on the opportunities God is already presenting to me.
Paul (not McCartney) deals about these situations in his letters. In Romans 12: 3-8, he talks about how every member of the body of Christ has a different role and purpose. Not everyone will be a preacher and worship leader. Each person is gifted differently, serves a different purpose, yet is still vital to the body. We all have different gifts, let's not be afraid to use them.
Also, in another place, Paul talks about his background. That he was a leader, well-versed in the law, a Pharisee among Pharisees. In other words, a big deal - one of the best and brightest. If anyone could brag about his achievements, it was Paul. Yet, Paul considers it all garbage. All to be lost, not important if he loses Jesus in the process. Jesus is his gain, his goal not all the achievements on his resume. He reminds us of where our focus should always be.
Looking back, maybe I could have been an engineer or a doctor. God would have led me and blessed me if I had chosen that direction. It's not what I have accomplished that matter, its where I place my heart that matters.
Am I doing enough? Am I in the "right" spot? My hope is in Jesus - that's really all that matters.
Why do I bring up Paul McCartney? Other than that he is an awesome singer/songwriter who I turn up the speakers in my car when his tunes come on? That he's gotten a lot accomplished in his life than most people? That's true, but he represents a point that I will try to make.
There are many times in my life, where I do a self-assessment on my own life. I am 44 years old and I sometimes wonder about the choices I have made over the years, mistakes I made, and whether I am accomplishing anything in this life.
I was a very smart kid in school. My teachers and parents saw it and encouraged it. I know my teachers said I could be whatever my mind desired and succeed at it. Good at math, the sciences, history, etc.. Whatever field of study I pursued, I would be successful at it. So, I sit here at 44, having been an accountant for twenty plus years, thinking to myself if I have short-changed myself.
I started out going to be a chemical engineer, but quickly went into business school. Why didn't I become a lawyer, scientist, or doctor when I had the chance? I was smart enough, maybe I was afraid of failing and settled into something easy.
Now, I don't ponder this all the time. Mostly this occurs after a particularly hard day at work. You wonder if I could have changed the future with better decisions.
I think we can also get that way in our walks of faith. Am I doing enough? Is this all life has to offer? Am I just trudging through life with not much excitement? Is there more I can be doing?
I think I can get that way in my faith because I am not preaching on Sundays, leading worship, teaching bible studies, or going up front with a prophetic word. You can believe that you are not involved because you are not doing "professional" church stuff. There is the trap that you can feel by not doing the "professional" church stuff, you may doubt your standing with God. This can cause you to try and work harder trying to attain God or you can become bitter or unhappy because you are not where you expect to be. You could set yourself up for disappointment attempting to do stuff that isn't in your skill set. Trying to gain the grace of God by doing "good works" or the "right" ministries will only lead to failure if your mindset is on achieving God this way. If you are doing things as a response to following God's call, then that is a different matter.
The grace of God is a free gift. No amount of work we do will be sufficient to earn it. It is freely given to us. It is tough because we always believe there is a catch to free stuff, so we strive to earn it or do the right things. Or, we worry about losing it, so we work hard to be "perfect".
Are we doing enough? The answer is no. There are places I fall short. There are things I should be more involved in or doing better at. But, if I am doing things to attain heaven, then I will miss out. If I think I am not a good enough Christian because I am not a preacher, missionary, or worship leader - I will miss out on the opportunities God is already presenting to me.
Paul (not McCartney) deals about these situations in his letters. In Romans 12: 3-8, he talks about how every member of the body of Christ has a different role and purpose. Not everyone will be a preacher and worship leader. Each person is gifted differently, serves a different purpose, yet is still vital to the body. We all have different gifts, let's not be afraid to use them.
Also, in another place, Paul talks about his background. That he was a leader, well-versed in the law, a Pharisee among Pharisees. In other words, a big deal - one of the best and brightest. If anyone could brag about his achievements, it was Paul. Yet, Paul considers it all garbage. All to be lost, not important if he loses Jesus in the process. Jesus is his gain, his goal not all the achievements on his resume. He reminds us of where our focus should always be.
Looking back, maybe I could have been an engineer or a doctor. God would have led me and blessed me if I had chosen that direction. It's not what I have accomplished that matter, its where I place my heart that matters.
Am I doing enough? Am I in the "right" spot? My hope is in Jesus - that's really all that matters.
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