Yesterday, we stopped by the bank here in Arkansas to make a couple transactions and change some information on our accounts. The young man who helped us was wearing his name tag and below it was an additional tag with the printed words "I'm planning for..." and then the handwritten word "Retirement". I asked the young man if everyone was writing their own plan on their tag and he said, "Yes. I didn't have any plans for a vacation or purchasing a car or anything like that, so I just put 'retirement'".
I contemplated this for a moment and thought about this 25 year old's plan for the future, which seemed to be focused on what would take place 40 years from now. In some ways, it seems admirable. Yet, I also thought about the plans God has given us in the coming days, months and years. None of it revolves around retirement. I couldn't help myself and blurted out, "We're planning to change the world for Jesus!" At this he chuckled and kept typing away on his computer.
Never before have I felt more strongly about the high calling of Jesus Christ on my life. In the past few months, I have heard over and over from God to dream big, to move forward without putting limits on God, to aim for the stars, to press forward courageously, and do anything and everything the Lord puts before me. As I look into the Word of God, I never see the Lord calling us to mediocrity, but to greatness.
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Php 3:14 NKJV)
In some translations of the Bible, the words "upward call" are rendered "high calling". Nevertheless, it's not a downward call nor a low calling, but a calling which brings us to greater heights. Throughout the Bible, the mountain top was often the place where God would meet with His prophets, priests and those called by Him to accomplish His purpose.
Whatever you think God is calling you to do, I can guarantee you that if it's not bigger than you, it's probably not God calling you, but simply your own plans relying on your own abilities. My encouragement to you today is that you would dream big. Know that at the end of your imagination, God is just beginning. His plans for you are great and mighty. He will take you to the mountain top!
Stay Blessed!
Tim
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