Determination
Every day, some people wake up at a certain time, get dressed, get in their car, drive to work, and then work for a specified time based on their employer’s expectations.
Interestingly, they do not allow aches and pains to get in their way. They do not allow a friend’s call, “Let’s go to the lake today,” to interfere with their commitment to go to work. They are committed because they know the importance and value of having a job to provide for their lives and the lives of those they love. Therefore, a job ranks very high on their scale of value, and it sets their determination to do what they must to have it, keep it, and advance in it.
Jesus said something very important and wise.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
How does one lay up treasures in heaven? It involves being kingdom-minded as opposed to earthly-minded. One way of understanding kingdom-mindedness is to put God’s will and His purpose at the top of my values scale.
Is there something you are so passionate about and committed to that nothing is allowed to interfere with it?
If the surrender and trust God wants from me takes a back seat to the things I want to do, I am being earthly-minded as opposed to kingdom-minded.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Being determined to do God’s will and trusting in His ability to take care of us stores up treasures in heaven. Being passionate about the things He desires is a good thing. He is pleased by our faith; without faith, we cannot please Him. Faith is active, not passive. There is a goal to faith that leads to making decisions and commitments. Faith is at the heart of determination because it acts based on something hoped for but not yet seen.
Paul said, 1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
What are you determined about? What are the things you will not compromise on no matter what? Are they things that will bring heavenly reward? I want to live with an eye towards my eternity. I want to sow where I know it will count for all eternity. To achieve that goal, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me with my resolve and determination to do all that He has in mind for me.
