What In The World...!

Sometimes a parent walks into their child’s room and in shock exclaims, “What in the world are you doing?” Perhaps what is being done is being carried out on purpose, but with no real purpose. There are also times when a parent may ask, “What in the world were you thinking?” When the child responds, “I didn’t think…”, the parent may then break in with, “Well maybe you should!”

“What in the world ARE YOU DOING?” Is this not a very reasonable question for our own life? What marks our activity in this realm? Are we simply living or are we focused on a greater sense of purpose in living?

On one occasion Jesus said to His disciples…
“(4) WE MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; night is coming, when no one can work. (5) AS LONG AS I AM IN THE WORLD, I am the light of the world.” ( John 9:4-5 ESV)

While in this world there was specific work to be done and Jesus retained a focus on being at this work. Though it took time for the disciples to understand the full extent and purpose of this work, He made the work clear to the disciples as he prepared them to carry on God’s work once He had ascended on high.

Note how this was reflected in Paul’s life even as he wrote from prison.
“(21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) If I am TO LIVE IN THE FLESH, THAT MEANS FRUITFUL LABOR for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (24) But TO REMAIN IN THE FLESH IS MORE NECESSARY ON YOUR ACCOUNT. (25) Convinced of this, I know that I WILL REMAIN and continue with you all, FOR YOUR PROGRESS AND JOY IN THE FAITH, (26) so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” ( Philippians 1:21-26 ESV)

As followers of Jesus Christ, “what in the world” we are to be doing among other things is to BE LIGHT ( Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15) in this dark world. We do this by LIVING GOOD AND HONORABLE LIVES ( 1 Peter 2:12) to the end that God will be ultimately glorified. Like Jesus, our LIFE IN THIS WORLD is to be lived for God and for others!

May we keep in mind “what in the world” we ought TO BE DOING that rather than shock at our living, God will be pleased that we are living aware of His purposes for being in this world. Let us keep our thinking centered on what He has both called us to be and do!

Have a great day LIVING LIFE ON GOD’S PURPOSE!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Living