Matthew 6:19 NLT

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.”

Every created/manufactured thing was created to serve a specific purpose. Nothing created was created for itself. Can we agree that the chair you’re sitting in was not created for itself? Its sole purpose is to support your body’s weight. Just like the car that you drive was not designed for itself. Likewise, we — God’s creation, were not created to serve ourselves. Our sole purpose in life is to worship and glorify the Creator. Unfortunately, we have an extremely warped view of what our true purpose is. We spend countless years aiming to please ourselves/ attain goals in an effort to feel fulfilled. We use our intimate time (prayer) with our Creator to beg for earthly possessions.

“God please bless my business!” , “God please bless me with this house/car!” , "God where is my spouse?!", “God please let me get this promotion!”, “God please take this pain away!” Who do we think we are to use the King of Kings as a magician or genie in a bottle?! We as believers (especially in America) are delusional to think that life is supposed to be lived hassle and stress free. “I deserve this, I deserve that.” — forgetting that what we really deserve is eternal damnation.

Now, I know the common rebuttal to this sentiment is: “Well ..the Bible says ask for what we want!” or “God said he will open for us the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing until it overflows.” or even “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We often misinterpret scriptures (eisegesis) , instead of reading in proper context (exegesis) and translate these verses to mean material/earthly success and financial security. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I know this sentiment probably made you roll your eyes. lol. Here’s the hard truth: you could die today. What good would it do us to spend all of our time storing up earthly treasures and lose our souls? It’s the poor who are blessed in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), and it’s the Lord in whom we are to delight (Psalm 37).

Even as I write this, I am struggling with a personal issue. I don’t want to deal with it. It’s painful & Ive cried many tears of frustration. To be completely candid, I have tears leaking from my eyes right now. After being given a revelation of who God truly is, I no longer feel comfortable praying the “Lord, please fix this right now. Please take it away” prayer. My prayer is moreso: “Lord please give me the capacity to navigate this. Please fortify my faith. Please help me to cast my cares on you.” God does not work for us. He was not created by us, for us. Im reminded of Jesus’ anguished spirit while praying to his father in the garden. — “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” — This prayer always touches my soul. The Lamb of God, moments before his betrayal, is exhausted and distressed and despite knowing what his mission is asked his father to keep this from happening if possible. In the same breath, he resolves to obey the will of the Father. Even more powerful than the anguish of his human emotions is Jesus' absolute commitment to obeying God. If the Savior of the world suffered and died a humiliating death he did not deserve, is it not fair for me, a wretched human, to experience a little earthly pain here and there? Besides, if our lives went completely the way we’d hoped for it to go, would we really look forward to dwelling in God’s presence? If we were extremely wealthy with perfect health, homes, cars, careers, spouses, etc., would we really look forward to leaving this earth? No, we would not. (Don’t lie to yourself). James implored us to find joy in bad things happening to us. Naturally, our human response is the exact opposite. When we choose to trust Him, He provides. Our endurance—the ability to keep trusting Him while trials continue unresolved—grows. And since our faith is the most important thing to our God, that is worth rejoicing.

Brothers and sisters, I beg you to please at least consider what is being conveyed here. I challenge you to transform your thinking of what your true purpose and calling is. We were not promised a life of prosperity. In fact, we should look forward to struggling. This is not to say that material blessings are inherently bad, but they are not guaranteed. We should not spend our entire lives idolizing,hustling, & bustling for them.

Worldly success is not a prerequisite for the promises of peace in Jesus Christ.

May this perspective not only be words on paper, but may it be thought provoking. May it dismantle all the false ideologies we have of God and what we deserve. If Paul, who was beaten, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, and without money, teaches us anything, it’s that the rich abundance of following Jesus isn’t in worldly definitions of success. I know this is not the most exciting thing to hear but I pray that it penetrates your heart in due time.

Please stay tuned for Part II

Grace and Peace.
-P. Cox

Is GOD Calling Us To Happiness or Holiness? (Part 1)