Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
What is it that tethers our hearts to this world that is so speedily spinning out of control? Are we looking to it as our great reward, our be all, end all? Or, are we looking to Jesus? He is to be as our Strength, Surety, Sufficiency and Savior. He is “the Author and Perfecter of our faith”. When the Lord came to visit Abram – turned Abraham - He says to him in Genesis 15:1 (NIV): After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Indeed, He is to be our Shield and very Great Reward as well. He is sufficient to meet our every need, completely, filling the insatiable longings of our human hearts. The heart was made to be filled by Him and we will be found wanting until we are - and not extraordinarily pleasant people to be around either, I might add. Needy people have a way of, well, just being needy, Amen? As Augustine said: “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
God desires to fill us so that He can spill us and He has given the Holy Spirit to equip us to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of Life. Yet, unfortunately, we often shrink the Spirit within by taking back the reins with our own poor choices so we look and act more like us than Him. The longings, craving and desires of our hearts were placed there for God. All else never fully satisfies and keeps us longing for more. Our worldliness, distractions and un-redeeming desires corrupt our vessels just as too much acid burns a hole in our stomachs.
God desires for us to use these earthly “jars of clay” of ours to infiltrate the earth with His glory – pointing the lost to the Lord. Being a light that cannot be hidden. That is the purpose for believers in Christ. It is indeed foolish to seek to find our eternal worth and work in earthly treasures that will never make it through the fire that tests the quality of each man’s work. Indeed, it is choosing the paste gem over the Diamond. Big mistake.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)