Theology Thursday: No Purpose or Direction and Wandering in the Wilderness?

In John 10:10, God’s words state that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Christ says, I came that they might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Do you feel like your life is full of peace, joy and abundance? If not, why is that the case? In the Old Testament, Moses spent many years wandering through the desert or what we would describe as the wilderness. It was hard and tedious and not exactly like he had pictured it. Is your life not like you pictured it at times? What is missing? What can you change to get out of your own wilderness?

I heard recently that instead of keeping our eyes intently focused on Christ, we have one eye on God and one eye on the world. This often leads to distress, chaos and a lack of contentment. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2). What shame are you holding on to? What sin is keeping you back? Are you believing the truth of God’s words or are you allowing Satan to deceive you and allowing him to steal, kill and destroy your joy in life.

I recently saw a friend that showed me a horrible looking antique. It looked like it was created by a first grader but this had tremendous value to this person. I asked, “Why?” They explained that if you look closely it has the markings of their family from 4 generations ago. What seemed to have zero value to me bore the image or the initials of the markings that one of their family members had created and passed down to them. You would think it was gold in this person’s eyes. I realized that we all have tremendous value and we bear the image of God in us or His very marking as we have been created in the image of God. We can simply trust and believe in His truths and see the tremendous value that has been passed down to us or we can believe the lies that Satan throws at us. We are in a sense royalty and we have tremendous value.

Do you still feel like you are wandering in your own wilderness? Do you still feel like you are stuck in a rut in life? Do you feel like something is missing in your life or that there is anxiety that fills your heart and mind? Remember John 10:10 and Hebrews 12:1-2 in these moments. You are created in the image of God. You were created with great value and purpose. You were created to live in joy and abundance. Just start FULLY TRUSTING in Christ!!

Grace and Peace, Matt Hampton

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