I’ve seen a pattern in my life. Have you found the same thing? Simply stated – again and again I’ve gone from idealism to cynicism. I thought the Marine Corps was going to be the greatest. Next – I thought marrying Liz was going to be the greatest. Then I though getting involved with politics could change the world. After that – I thought having money and ‘control’ would give satisfaction. I found that life has a way of turning idealism to cynicism – which results in a lack of passion and purpose. So I kept changing my focus to find what would REALLY deliver. And again and again – the newness would wear off / reality would hit / I’d get disillusioned / then go chase another fresh illusion. Only when I realized that was merely another of God’s designed steps to spiritual maturity did I begin to regain passion and purpose – for greater intimacy and obedience to Him. Please notice – I did NOT find fulfillment in ‘religion’ or ‘church’. I’d walked away from all that during my time in Vietnam. Please consider this from Mark Batterson: “When we are born into this world, the world revolves around us. We’re spoon-fed on the front end and diaper-changed on the back end. It’s as if the entire world exists to meet our every need. And that’s fine if you are a two-month old baby. If you’re twenty-two, it’s a problem!
NEWSFLASH: YOU ARE NOT THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE!
“At its core, sinfulness is selfishness. It’s enthroning yourself – your desires, your needs, your plans – above all else. You may still seek God, but you don’t seek Him first. You seek Him second or third or seventh. You may sing “Jesus at the center of it all” but what you really want is for people to bow down to you as you bow down to Christ. It’s a subtle form of selfishness that masquerades as spirituality, but it’s not Christ-centric. It’s me-centric. It’s less about us serving His purposes and more about Him serving our purposes.” (From the Mark’s book titled “All In”.)
The only value I bring to you through these messages is as I point us back to Jesus. “Jesus did not commit Himself to them .. for He knew what was in man.”
John 2:24-25 Oswald Chambers almost nailed it when he wrote: “Our Lord trusted no one, and never placed His faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or bitter. Our Lord’s confidence in God, and in what God’s grace could do for anyone, was so perfect that He never despaired, never giving up hope for any person. If our trust is placed in human beings, we will end up despairing of everyone.” I’d only add to that final sentence: If our trust is placed in human beings INCLUDING OURSELVES, we will end up despairing of everyone
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I HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CROSS.
Ken Korkow KKorkow@CBMC.com
Looking Ahead: WOUNDED WARRIORS FAMILY SUPPORT CARE GIVERS RETREAT – 27 – 30 SEPTEMBER. Retired Marine Colonel John Folsom is providing this opportunity for those couples that are giving 24/7 support for our severely wounded military veterans. Please pray we will be able to give them Christian encouragement and direction.
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