Lest We Miss Your Kingdom's Goal

“The beloved disciple is the disciple who has his head on Jesus’ heart…So that our hearts begin to beat with the rhythm of his heart.  And whenever I rest my head on Jesus’ heart, I find I can breathe again."

To rest my head on Jesus’ heart, to be aligned with its beating, to hear and know what it beats for and Who it beats for…it beats for the Father. I am eternally thankful that God left us His spirit so we can discern and hear and listen to Jesus’ heartbeat, the only one that matters.  Lord, help me to sit still long enough to listen.  Help my heart to be simpatico to your heart.

“The deepest desire of the heart of Jesus Christ, ‘…glorify your son that the son may glorify you’ - the most fundamental longing of Jesus’ heart.” 

What singular, unwavering, intense, laser-focus Jesus had over a long period of time.  He was of that single-mindedness for 33 years.   Talk about a long obedience in the same direction! It seems unfathomable to me for a person to be that intently focused on one life-goal, from the cradle to the grave.  Yes, I love Christ and I have been following him for as long as I can remember, and I have held the same job for close to 15 years so the longevity may be there, but it’s the intensity and devotion to God in every little detail of Jesus’ life 24 hours a day 7 days a week, living and breathing the Father, His whole purpose, mission, drive, breath, and death is God. It is God. It is God. It is God.  He Alpha Omega-ed the Alpha and Omega.  Oh, what devotion!!!!!  Oh, to have one iota of that intensity for the Father and devotion to His Glory.   

“I did not do all there was to do.  I did not do all that could have been done.  I did not do all that others expected of me.  I did not do all I expected of me.  But I did do what You called me to do.”   This one wrecked me. Shot through the heart, Bon Jovi! Help me to remember this Lord, every day.  Help me to do what You call me to do. 

“He took the fall to show the world for all time who the father is.”   Amazing Love, how can it be?

This past Sunday we sang the old hymn, God of Grace and God of Glory and I was struck by the last lines in the last stanza:

“Cure your children's warring madness;

bend our pride to your control;

shame our wanton, selfish gladness,

rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

lest we miss your kingdom's goal,

lest we miss your kingdom's goal.”

Your kingdom’s goal….Your kingdom’s goal!  Jesus’ goal was to glorify the Father. This should be our goal too.  Let us not miss it.