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Thanks for understanding about last week. In the end it was definitely a good week, but it was a hard week.
So, on to more hard stuff. Today, John Piper challenges us women:
“That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might, and maximizing your joy in ministry to people’s needs.”
I think the idea of wartime mentality—a metaphor found in scripture—is a helpful one. It reminds me of World War II when the whole country made sacrifices for the war cause.
So what does this look like? Let’s look at the wartime mentality in Scripture:
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” – 2 Timothy 2:3-4 NASU
This is such a vivid image for me. If I was a soldier, I would not worry about the little stuff, you know? I should have the singular focus in my life.
It’s hard not to have the same goals and aims as those around me. We pick up a lot from our environment, and everything we let into our lives will influence us. Not to say that I should be a hermit—I do wish that was possible sometimes—but I need to be immersed in Scripture to the point that God’s priorities become mine.
I also think getting outside of my comfortable, middle class, Western bubble helps gain perspective. I’ve been incredibly blessed, but most of the world hasn’t had the family, financial, and educational advantages I have.
I know the goal is not to have stuff. I know the point of life isn’t to be comfortable.
But I have to remind myself of this daily.
Other Posts in This Series:
Photo by US Army
Such a good message to remember! Life is not supposed to be easy or great all the time, otherwise, how would any of us ever accomplish anything truly worth while?