The Question You Are Being Asked Everyday
Pastor Jason Imagine for a moment that your future was in jeopardy…your career, your retirement, your marriage…all of it. And the thing standing in your way was a question:
Who are you and what are you doing?
The answer you give to this question will either set everything positive and good in motion…or it will set off disaster in your life. Maybe it’s your boss asking you this question. Maybe it’s your spouse. Maybe it’s your financial adviser. It could be anyone. The point is that person is standing in your way and holding all the cards to your future.
So…what’s your answer?
What do you say? What is in your heart of hearts?
Are you terrified to have to answer? Are you nervous? Excited? Ready to vomit?!
There are dozens of ways you could answer this question. The truth is, there’s no real right or wrong answer. There is just your answer.
But most of us care what other people think…right? And if there is something at stake in the question (like your job or future), then you really care about what they think! So, you may be trying to figure out what will sound best or what the person in front of you wants to hear you say.
So put that aside for right now because what sounds good and what someone else wants to hear is almost certainly not your truth. Let’s assume that you know now that the only answer that will set of the good stuff in your life is the honest-to-goodness truth (no matter how simple, messy, weird, uncomfortable, or uncertain that truth is).
So now, what’s your answer? I hope you’ll really take a minute to think about it and even say your answer out loud to yourself (or write it down in a journal).
You know, the reality is we are being asked this question everyday…and we are answering it everyday. Your actions speaks to who you are and what you are doing. Your daily decisions (large and small) say something about who you are and what you’re doing. The direction you are moving with your life says a lot about all this.
And honestly, God is the one asking us this question. Everyday.
Deuteronomy 30 reminds us of this:
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. … I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days… (Deut 30:15, 19-20a)
God asks us to consider who we are and what we are doing with our lives. God has set multiple options before us. And God acknowledges that and then sits back and asks us to consider it all. Who are you? What are you going to do with everything before you?
And the big and little things you do everyday answer this question by moving you in the direction of life and prosperity or death and destruction. Maybe those two directions are a bit extreme (either/or thinking can always get us in trouble). But the two contrasting direction can help us think more deeply and be more intentional in our daily life.
I wonder: Did you initially answer that question by claiming you are a person of faith, a child of God, a part of Christ’s body, a servant of the Lord? Did you answer by saying you are loving God and obeying God by loving people?
Maybe you did say those things cause you knew this was a question coming from a pastor (and you wanted to “sound good”). Maybe those really were your authentic answers. Maybe your first thoughts were more about your job/vocation, your marital status, your family connections, your age, your status, or some strong value that you have. Again, there is no wrong answer.
When we consider the truth that God is really asking us this question everyday and in everything we do, it can help us prioritize our life, our choices, our words, and our movement in the world around us. I pray that your honest and authentic answer today is moving you in the direction of life. And if not, then there is no better time than now to reconsider your answer, grab hold of God’s hand, and step forward into a new direction. And if you need someone to walk with you, then just give me a call because walking with you along that journey is a good part of who I am!
Sunday Morning Small Group Series – Half Truths
We are exploring the truth behind common sayings, such as Everything Happens for a Reason, God’s Helps Those Who Helps Themselves, and Love the Sinner Hate the Sin. They sound Christian – like something you might find in the Bible. We’ve all heard them. Maybe we’ve even said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. Discover the whole truth by comparing Christian cliches with the wisdom found in Scripture.
Sunday Mornings from 9:45 – 10:30 am (enjoy coffee and fellowship from 10:30 – 11:00 am)
This Week at Hood
Tuesday, June 5 – Pastor Joanie’s Birthday – Send her a birthday message!
Wednesday, June 6, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, June 6, 3:30 pm – Task Force for Fundraising Meeting
Thursday, May 31 – Pastor Jason is out of town
Sunday, June 3, 11:00 am – Worship – Faces of Our Faith: The Daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11)