The Four Tenets of Not-So-With-YOUNäide

Are we discouraged by immediate problems?

The second tenet of the Not-So-With-You command is Purpose. What purpose are we chasing in life? Biblical history, church history, and world history will give us numerous examples of leaders who had very narrow, self-centered purposes in life. Are we feeling constrained by our limitations, laws, or the socio-political environment in the country, and saying, this is all that we can do? Well, the Greatest Leader has a different message for you today. When He realized that His disciples were troubled and downcast, He gave a beautiful and encouraging message in John 14:1

Jesus’s message to us is to not be troubled by the immediate struggles or losses we might be having, but to focus on a higher, eternal goal.

Are we excited about the recent successes?

In Luke, Chapter 10, He sends out 70 of His disciples and when they return they are excited because they were able to do miracles in His name. His advice, found in Luke 10:20, is beautiful. Here, His message is not to be happy or content with immediate successes but to have higher goals. Focus on eternity.

Application

So as Christians, let us not be troubled by the difficulties we might be facing or the successes we might be having, but let us focus on setting a higher purpose for the work we do. Let us focus on eternity.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you have demonstrated how we can look beyond immediate hurdles and immediate successes, and look beyond our current life. Help us to have a higher purpose in life, a purpose that will encourage and enable us to live, love, and lead like you!