07/12/2024
This morning let's reflect on whether we are either leading or growing into a holy life that is full and rich. Let's ask ourselves the hard questions such as... "Am I seeking out holiness and the presence of God in all I do?" In our quest for a more enduring faith we should long to be holy, and long to be like Jesus in everything we do. Our lives should be dominated by a constant motivation, provided by prayer, to obtain holiness, and through that effort; salvation.
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—”
1 Peter 2:2 ESV
As a child did you have a hero you wanted to emulate? Was there a sports figure, a civic hero, or some other person that you dreamed of becoming like? For me it was Mickey Mantle. I played sandlot baseball most every day in the spring and summer, and we boys brought our baseballs and gloves to school so that we could play catch during recess (A class period I excelled at!).
Before games could begin we had to establish our credentials; we had to call out who we would be during the game. So before sides were picked or the game could begin, we shouted the name of our hero and argued to the point of fighting if two of us happened to claim the same one. For me that name was Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees, "The Mick". When I was ten he won the golden glove and was the American League’s most valuable player... He was every boy's hero, and I would scuffle with anyone else who challenged me for his name.
I think back on those boyhood days and how baseball and Mickey Mantle were always on my mind. As a grown man, there has been no hero in life that has dominated my every thought like that. That is... Until I focused my life on Jesus.
If I were still a boy the name of Jesus would be like calling out Infiniti in an argument. You remember that banter in settling an argument... Someone would say "I am 10 times better than you" to which someone else would say "I'm 11 times better than YOU" and so on until finally in exasperation one of you would yell out "I am INFINITY times better than you!" And the argument would shift to how nothing is greater than infinity, and how there is no such thing as infinity plus one?
Well Jesus is the infinity in my adult life and I seek Him with that same focus which I learned to summon as a boy. He is the example that I follow, the hero whose name I call out before beginning each day. He is the purpose in my life.
Pastor E.M. Bounds says that the church should have a purpose that it seeks as well. He writes that "The church must, however, not lose sight of its most important purpose, namely to lead people to live holy lives through prayer." This is a purpose that should be sought with the unwavering intensity of a childhood fixation.... With every fiber and ounce of energy that can be mustered.
On a personal level, do you pray with that same intensity and purpose? Do you pray for holiness? Well, it should be the first thought in a new day and the baseball card under your pillow as sleep comes to you at night. We should be unwavering in our desire for Jesus and to live a holy life for God.
This morning let's claim the name of Jesus and ask him to be ever on our minds as the day unfolds. Let's ask God to make us holy and to give us the singular focus on Him that His redeeming us warrants. Let's reclaim the passion and intensity we had as children when we seek to emulate Christ, and search out faith and holiness in prayer. Then let's go about living each one of our days walking and talking as if we were Jesus... our eternal hero, our “infinity”, and if it were possible… our “infinity +1.”
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us all of the great biblical heroes in scripture to emulate and learn from, but thank you most for your Son Jesus Christ whose life, death, and resurrection, places Him at the pinnacle of all the others whom we admire. Thank you Lord for not only allowing us to longingly desire to be as He is, but to love him from the depths of our hearts. Help us Holy Father to follow Him each step of the way as He leads us through life to you. Help us to abide in Him, and allow Him to abide in us; even as He abides in you, and you in Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who gives focus, and a deep abiding inspiration and meaning to our lives. Holy are you who we worship, and who establishes the rules of this life, and spiritual quest, we find ourselves pursuing. Praised be your name Father, and praised be your Son Jesus our savior, and redeemer. We lift up our eyes towards heaven, and sing to you Abba. We cherish your Word, and desire to be like so many of the bible characters who play such important roles within it, but when we rise each day to walk our lives with you it is the name of Jesus which we call out as the greatest of them all…our great hero amongst heroes, and He who we aspire to be like in our quest for eternity with you. Hear our prayers today Father as we speak and groan them from deep within our hearts. Hear us as we attempt to pray as Jesus prayed, and ask that your will be done as He did, but always listen for His name Lord as we offer each of our prayers in His name. Watch over us as we pick up our crosses and follow Him Father, and make it possible for every soul to call out His name as our personal hero Saying “Jesus” as we begin each day and seek spiritual infinity, and eternity with you.
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes