My life is not my own. This was the attitude of Reepicheep in Prince Caspian as he was fiercely loyal to Caspian, but ultimately to Alsan, the King of Kings. This attitude of loyalty must be my attitude toward the Church, and ultimately, the King and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. Reepicheep is one of my favorite characters in all of literature because of his loyalty to the King. Despite his lack of size, ability, and power, he zealously guards the honor of the King. He sees his honor as being united to the King. He sees his life only in relationship to the King. Reepicheep was dead to himself and alive to the King and service to him.
This kind of loyalty is my desire toward Christ, my King. This is what I want for myself and God's people. The words of Paul pierce me-
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:1-3
Paul isn't suggesting to be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good, instead, the Apostle is bidding us to assess our affections to see if they have eternity in view. Paul is saying, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to be sure that we evaluate all our thoughts and actions with Christ's eternal glory in mind. Very practically- why do I do the things I do? How are they contributing to the glory of God? What are my priorities in this short earthly life? Am I motivated to do things with eternal significance, or am I wasting a whole lot of time?
To seek things that are above and to set my mind on the same means to truly labor to evaluate and adjust my life now according to Christ and His eternal glory.
Life on earth is very short. Our time to serve the King in this unique way is limited. If my life is hidden with Christ in God, I want to spend every second with thoughts of God's eternal glory. I am so grateful to God that He would give me such eternally significant responsibilities- the spiritual oversight of my family and the shared oversight of one of His local Churches. Maybe this is the answer for all Christians? If you are struggling with knowing how to spend your time in an eternally significant way, why not assess how much effort and time you are spending in ministry to your family and in Christ's Church?
I have heard all sorts of regrets from dying people about having pursued things that won't last after they die. I've never heard one person regret time invested, for Christ's Glory, in their family or Church. What more tangible way can we be loyal to the King of Kings and His eternal glory?
7 comments:
you are now a web master. reepicheep - good pick for you.
I've heard many say "He's too heavenly minded to be any earthly good." But of course this refers to a false state of "heavenly mindedness", a display of piety to be seen by men. To be truly heavenly minded will always result in earthly goodness. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep onself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27). Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:18b) He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. (1 John 2:9). He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 5:20b)
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (Matthew 25:37-40).
now you too are a bloggie...welcome to the club....
Another thought? When I first came to Christ way back in 1972, one of the first verses of Scripture that really baffled was Paul’s own spiritual dilemma. Think about this profoundly probing concept of constantly striving to be “Dead to Self!” (Romans 6:11-13; Romans 7:4; Colossians 2:20 & 3:3 ) All the Christ-based education, spiritual wisdom and Biblical knowledge, is merely “wood hey and stubble” if we allow anything, gift, ministry or calling, to compete for our loyalty and devotion unto Christ. The greater competitor, for even the most dedicated Christian, is the wrong theological concept that being “Dead to self,” must mean “Service comes before worship.”
If we are to Walk beside HIM, under and with His anointing, then just the opposite must be lived out each day! To become “Dead to Self” daily means “WORSHIP MUST PROCEED SERVICE!”
Our goal and callings in ministry is to first and foremost, worship Jesus. Service is only fruitful and meaningful when it follows personal worship. We are not sent into the battle, even to die for Jesus; but to be used by God, for God on HIS battlefields. This may sound strange…. but think about it before you react. “We must be more devoted to satisfying Him than service unto Him!” Worship is giving God the very best that He has given unto us.
When we receive peace and blessings for serving Him… through deliberate acts of meditation, and prayer, “Dying to Self” is the process of giving of ourselves… all of our selves, back to Him for His service.
Love your blog title & this post...I googled it while writing a post about Reepicheep on my blog.
Just looking way back at the first one. I have been throughly blessed by your encouraging words of wisdom as well as your down to earth simply humor.
By the way, I got em all saved and as of Monday, August 15, 2011, it's a whopping 1348 Reepicheeps thoughts.
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