It's not very often that I have the moment to reflect, and even change. It's probably the same for most of us. We've got entertainment, work, travels, gatherings and washings; only in between the flickering snapshots are moments for reflection.
I think I got one whilst flicking through John Piper's book, in between a virus, essays, night shifts, antenatal classes, I was flabbergasted once again, by God' glory, our purpose, our lives and His mission.
Piper re-emphasises the point of knowing God's goodness in Jesus and desire for His greatness, name and character are to be magnified by His own will and our lives, as we taste and see that goodness in Christ. But he asks again and again, what kind of life magnifies the goodness of God? The point is the beginning of someone turning toward God and true relationship with Him, but it is also the perennial point of return for the veteran christian. How can I not waste my life by living it for the joy in and magnification of God's kindness and love to us in Jesus?
The faces of wasted lives are easy to recognise: the picking of seashells, collection of motor yachts, the letters suffixed on a business card, the returns from board memberships: all for me, ourselves, all for this life, for a short time. There is nothing that lasts, beyond our temporary moments on this earth, even if exhilarating in its brief allure. I still hear the voice of the man: "I've wasted it, I've wasted it," loudly and clearly from chapter one. So what type of attitude flows from the life that conforms to God's own cause and plans and for our joy and treasure from this life, through much suffering, into the next?
It's probably best for you to read the book. But the chapters on money (how we spend it), on risks that are worth taking, and on missions (mercy to our world in our work, sharing Jesus with the unreached, using our lives as adornment to the good news of Jesus), are all straight forward reads and are the essential application chapters in the book of "Don't waste your life". Click the title for a link to his online version. I definitely think the ideas are worth reflecting about, even for a brief moment.
Without going through the personal events related to the reading of this book, some of my personal reflections on money and missions include:
Why not take risks in giving? God provides, He does not promise that the sparrows will grow fat (Matt 6:26), but He promises enough. And even if not enough, we know Him who gave up His riches and even His life to die for our sins, so that we may become rich through HIs poverty. This knowledge frees us to give what we have, so that others can share in the riches that we have in Jesus. Jesus spent a lot of his conversations on topics related to money, and our spending shows where our heart is. How is my church, my family, my friends or my country going in christian giving? There is much to be learned from the greats, like C.S. Lewis, even Warren Buffet, who both live(d) frugally, because they were satisfied. Lewis was satisfied in God, so can we who have hope.
What conflict is there between working in secular field and on the mission field? Nothing. No significant difference at all. God's purpose for whomever in Him in whatever vocation are one and the same: to promote the grandeur of Him in the good news of His Son Jesus, who has come to be the Saviour of the world. So those working within unreached people groups are doing our work and we are their senders. The unreached are ours, they are our concern. Who are our concern at work or at uni? Our friends, most of whom are not in relationship with God. Our work speaks of our relationship with God, and our lives speak twice as loudly. My diligence, honesty, humility, care (and doctors often don't), obedience, these can all speak well of the good news and adorn the belief we have. The goal is one and the same: magnifying the gospel's beauty. So our secular work is equally important, when we have this attitude, as non-secular work. Which is harder, neither of course. Which is more worthy, both are, if our purpose is for the one and the same gospel.
What conflict is there between spiritual needs and physical needs of the needy? Nothing of significance again. All their needs are our concern, we care for friends not only for their physical, emotional and personal needs, we also meet their need to have a satisfying and lasting relationship with God the Father, through His Son Jesus. There is no difference overseas either. Medical missions, aid, political structures, economic provisions must come alongside biblical teaching, godly living, family lifestyles under God, evangelism of the needy and rebellious. It is simple to pitch one against the other, whilst losing the purpose and blurring their complement natures. Perhaps, we do so for our wicked self-justification. Only God knows.
There were many more uplifting portions, others will gain more than I did. But I hope, that these moments of reflection take root, firstly in my, and also in all of your, lives. We have but one, let's not waste our gift and our opportunity.
p.s. Many other take issue to John Piper's arguments. So do go back to the Bible and flesh out the resounding ideas there.
