'"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.' (1 Corinthians 2:9-10/ Isaiah 64:4) God's purpose for our lives remains a mystery until we are called but thereafter, it will be revealed to us when we receive the Holy Spirit. And it turns out to be 'immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine'! Did those fishermen, even in their wildest imagination, ever expect to be called by the Messiah and to 'eat and drink at his table in the kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel' ? (Luke 22:30) Once Jesus revealed what was prepared for them by the Father, they didn't mind taking up their cross and following him to their death! "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35) But it took the Holy Spirit to embolden them because before he came, they were a bunch of cowards inspite of being told what was in store for them! Once the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were fearless, though the task seemed daunting (intimidating)! 'When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.' (Acts 4:13) However it all began with a revelation of the purpose for which they were predestined ! Do we know what our mission in life is? Do not mistake your career for your mission! Consider our careers only as a means to an end ( a thing that is not valued or important in itself but is useful in achieving an aim) because over and above our need to earn a living, is our task to establish his kingdom. If even a glass of water, which we might not have earned, can fetch a reward if given in his name ( Mark 9:41), how much more will our hard earned money be rewarded, if sacrificed for the Kingdom? Do not be ashamed to declare your calling because we confess our way into the destiny that awaits us! Paul invariably started all his epistles with a confession of his calling. 'Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God..' (Romans 1:1) Their assignment on earth became their only obessession! Everything else we achieve on earth will be forgotten in eternity but that which we do for him and his kingdom will be remembered. 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ' (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Sam Matthews. K
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