The purpose of the journey

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future”

Our Bible verse for today: “I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “The purpose of the journey”

As a Christian your life is a journey through this world towards your real home in heaven. But as we have learned, it’s during this life that you are to grow in Christlikeness and in spiritual maturity. And that growth process will have a direct bearing on what eternity will be like for you. The purpose of your journey through this life is to prepare yourself so you can experience for all eternity all the fullness of God that Paul wrote about.

However, life can be hard and the journey often takes us through deep and dark valleys. Those are troubling times that bring with them pain and heartache. We all wish we didn’t have to face situations like that but that’s just life and we do have to deal with it. However, God walks with us through those times in the valleys. He also strengthens us for the struggle and helps us to deal with the trials. And if we draw close to Him and rely on Him, then those times become some of the most formative spiritual moments in this long journey.

Author John Eldredge once wrote a great devotional book to help us through times like that. The title is “Restoration Year.” It consists of 365 daily devotionals and it is designed to assist a Christian in picking up the pieces and moving forward in life after a life-altering event. Here’s a piece from one of those daily devotionals that I found particularly helpful. Maybe you will too:

“We need Jesus like we need oxygen. Like we need water. Like the branch needs the vine. Jesus is not merely a figure for devotions. He is the missing essence of our existence. Whether we know it or not, we are desperate for Jesus … The purpose of your being here on this planet, at this moment in time, comes down to three things: (1) Love Jesus with all that is within you. (2) To share your daily life with Him. (3) To allow his life to fill yours.” And I would add a fourth to that list – we are to spend our time on earth serving others in His name.

That’s the purpose of the journey and it’s the reason God still has you on this planet living this life – it’s so you can get to know Jesus better, grow spiritually, become more like Him, and continue to serve others on His behalf until He is ready for you to come to heaven. Doing that helps you to grow spiritually and it prepares you for the reward of your salvation – eternity in heaven.

You have been saved, you are saved, you will continue to be saved, and one day your eternity in paradise is going to be glorious. You will then experience all the fullness of God. But until then – live. Just live fully every day and make the most of the journey.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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