I have a confession to make. For many years, I’ve
had a re-occurring theme in my dreams. It’s possible that God is trying to show
me something. This theme involves living in a home that is ever-expanding.
There is always more “territory” then there is ability to manage. The
uninhabited rooms are usually in a state of mess, and God knows, I don’t enjoy
housework.
As I have sought His wisdom on the meaning of all of
this, I am faced with a reality that God is telling me He wants to give me
more, that He wants to expand my territory so to speak. But it’s going to
require effort in order to occupy this inheritance. So, like the Israelites of
old who battled giants in the Promised Land, I, too, must move forward in faith,
obedience and action if I am to inherit His will for my life.
While this could be viewed as “exciting”, I have
actually found myself in a season of reluctance. Am I willing to pay the price,
to “do the work” that is necessary? I mean, after all, living a mediocre life
provides a measure of “comfort” for the flesh. Even the Israelites were tempted
to turn back. Their hearts preferred the known shackles and limits of Egypt
over the unknown costs to fight for their Promised Land.
Besides, what if I can’t manage? What if I fail
miserably? What if I don’t hear God correctly?
In my struggle, I realized that maybe I have been
asking the wrong questions all along. Maybe I should be asking questions like
these instead:
Am I willing to stand before the throne of God and
bring less of an inheritance than all that is possible for me?
Given everything that Jesus was willing to endure
for my account, what do I want to bring Him in return?
Do I want to miss out on anything He may have for
me?
Will I be found faithful? Or will it show that I cared more about my
comfort, my security or my reputation in this world than I cared about His
Kingdom?
Do I trust God to be with me, to fight battles
beyond my abilities, to lead me?
Do I really understand that the same power that raised
Jesus from the dead is now inside of me?
Am I allowing fear or faith to rule my heart and,
consequently, my decisions?
Somehow, reframing the questions makes the answers
so much clearer.
I hope you realize that you, too, have an
inheritance in Christ – an ever-expanding Kingdom has been bestowed upon you.
There is much of Himself that He wants to give you. Likewise, there is “territory”
that He seeks for you to occupy – a purpose for which you now inhabit the
earth. May you pursue it with the same passion with which He pursued you!
