Our world. It is a marvel. And it is madness. Such monuments of mankind’s grand achievements. And such undeniable destruction and suffering.
On the one hand, we are prone to amazement as we view the pleasant landscape. Tall, modern cities. Heady vistas. Grand ships birthed within wide harbors of commerce.
But we don’t need to look very far to see the other side of things—abject poverty, rampant drug abuse, the tsunami of pornography, and even child sex trafficking.
Evil is all around us. It is no longer in some dark corner of someone else’s world. It is everywhere, and it influences everyone, in some specific way.
What should this mean to us—nearly 7.5 billion of us—this amazing mass of humankind? How should we view the last days, which are now undoubtedly here? Is there any clear direction for those of us who hope to make a real difference in this world?
Are we too few? Are we too late? Are we too limited? And most importantly, where is God in all this?
To find the right answers we must look to the source. Because original purpose is everything. And this world of ours in which we now live was totally God’s idea.
You Are Surrounded by the World
Our present day world is a magnificent mega force of science and technology. Now a cross-cultural maze of activity, it has become a hurried and worried wilderness of concrete and steel, with an underbelly of irrational, unrealistic and destructive tendencies. In many ways, our world might be viewed as one big, fantastic mess!
As Christians, we should be constantly disturbed by this world around us—this vast conglomeration of threat and helplessness, action and accident. It is fractured, and it is failing. But regardless of how we view this big fantastic mess, one thing should be abundantly clear to us: we are surrounded by it.
That may be viewed as a defeating thought, and rightly so. That is, except for an equally amazing aspect of what our world is today: people. We are virtually everywhere—from corner to corner. Every habitable mile has been explored, mapped and measured.
We humans are a very curious bunch. We long to find the answers hidden in this world of wonder. But we are also a fallen creation. And so many of our findings and conclusions are based on bad data. So we constantly get the story wrong.
Thankfully, for anyone caring to hear the accurate and real story of our world, it is always here in plain sight. God’s word, the Bible, might be viewed as a book of mysteries, or maybe even a bunch of fairy tales. But to true believers all across our world, the Bible is literally the Book of Life.
And it so beautifully explains our origins—God’s view of our world, and all we who now find ourselves surrounded by it:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.”
“These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens”
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:1,4,7)
By accessing God’s wondrous display of wisdom, set down in printed words, we begin to see God’s plans and purposes for His world, and everything that He placed within it.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
We begin to recognize the authority of God in His creation. Put simply, this world—now trodden over by humankind—belongs to God. He alone holds the title deed. It has always been His. And everything that He purposed upon it belongs to Him, as well.
This is very important for us to understand because this concept of ownership has everything to do with God’s complete and perfect purposes for His world.
In short, if we are able to understand God’s original intents and purposes for placing us here, we can truly embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Apostle Paul put it in these terms:
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
As we look through the lens of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we soon discover “the mark.” We desire “the prize” as we sense the greatness of our calling—to encompass our world with His Glory.
You Are Surrounded by Self
Our world may be filled with nearly 7.5 billion of us, but there is still only one of you, and one of me.
God’s marvelous creation started with the one, to eventually include the many. The human race began with the first man, Adam, breathed upon by God to become a living soul.
Since that first day long ago, each of us has entered our world within the confines of a time frame sanctioned and set forth by our Creator. We are placed here for such a time as this.
And for each of us who travel this road of life, it soon becomes apparent we are the individual. This individuality given to us brings with it great responsibility.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26)
Though we might be here among the crowd of many, we are always the one. We house the intimate details of ourselves—things that no one else will know. And this inner being is so very important.
While I am encompassed with self—and unable to separate the inner world of “me” from myself—I also have the ability and the authority to take charge of this inner man within me, and to surround myself with purpose.
This can be a gift, or a curse, depending on how I choose to use this inner world of mine.
If I use it to deceive my world, I have become a tool in the enemy’s arsenal.
But if I use this inner being of mine to discover the plans and pathways of my Creator, I embark on what only “God within man” can become: the new man. A new creation. A son of the living God.
Now imagine what someone with these credentials might do in his or her world.
You Are Surrounded by God
7.5 billion of us. Try to imagine a very large stadium, with all of us within it. Our sound would be deafening.
Now imagine that two teams of players are engaged in a game, down on the field. One side of the stadium is for one team, and the other side is cheering for the other.
But all mixed within the crowds are lots of fans, who are still undecided—they’re just open to seeing the best team win.
Each team struggles to win the game, and many plays are made down there on the field. Among the crowds, there is a plethora of cheering and booing, mixed with lots of mass confusion.
As each individual onlooker participates—based on how he or she understands the game—there is an inner struggle for each person.
The “game” of life is real for each of us. And whether or not we understand the true rules of the game determines how we interact—both from within and without.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:8-9)
But the Christian life is unique. I am no longer on my own—left to my own devices. The Holy Spirit of God has taken up residence within me, and now my inner man is indwelt with the purposes of God—not merely my own.
In effect, I am surrounded by God. He now dwells—lives, moves and has His being—within me.
And I am no longer my own. But I have given myself to Him. We are one.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:14-15)
And just as amazing is my position that God’s filling of my inner self has created, in relation to Himself.
Now, God hears me. My intimate, innermost thoughts and attitudes are shared with Him. My struggles are known and completely understood by Him. My fears, my failures, and my triumphs—all known and naked before Him.
Because God is now directly involved in the process of me.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Now I am involved in His purposes, as well, as He leads me on toward being that son of His, the man who I was created to be. A son that will go and show forth my Father’s glory, to a world still blinded by sin and suffering.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Catch a glimpse of what God is creating in you and me.
We become a powerhouse of His purposes—living, abiding and emanating from our innermost being—to influence the world around us.
The real struggle is simply to believe that this is true. Because to believe on Jesus is to fully believe the plans of God for which we have been created.
You are Surrounded by Need
Our world is in desperate need—physical, emotional, and especially spiritual. In many ways, our world is now what it was reported to be when:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2)
This is amazing: what is without “form” (without purpose) and “void” (without direction) and covered in darkness (without life)—yet, the Spirit of God “moves” upon it!
This is the hope that lies within us—and it is the hope we should come to expect from God, for our world.
Yes, we are surrounded by this big, fantastic mess and the overwhelming needs of a desperate world. It would be so easy to be completely overwhelmed by such circumstances. It is a world that is reeling out of control—and it is out of answers.
But who really has control? Mankind tells himself that he is in control, but he is foolish to think so. Remember:
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalms 24:1)
The earth truly is the Lord’s, the fullness of it, and all who live within it.
Do you sense where the responsibility lies? This is God’s baby. He not only loves His world, He is jealous over it—and He is jealous over you.
And since He is not willing that any in His world should perish, God has purposed for us—His children, His friends—to go and sow the seeds of salvation into a dying planet.
The task before us seems daunting. It will take the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy, high calling within us. It will take the passion and purposes of God moving in and through us.
Who then would be a prime candidate for such an abiding and faithful indwelling of God’s power and presence within? Really, it’s anyone who has relinquished his or her own life to the Master, for His use. It’s anyone who is moved upon to listen, to learn of Him and to follow where He will lead them.
It is a life that is set apart for the Master’s good purposes, and it is a life that is less or limited in some way—in order for those weaknesses to be utilized in their fullest potential by the Lord—who loves to show His strength through our limitations.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
It is a predetermined position of strength, power and authority—produced from lives so often squeezed and squashed by circumstances.
But never are they squandered. And they are certainly never, ever forsaken in the process. It is God’s wise and worthwhile process of refinement, to bring us into places we could never otherwise attain to.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:1-2)
Like silver put through the furnace of refinement, or gold purified within the fires of affliction, it’s never easy—but always abounding in God, to show forth His glory.
Are you His, and living with limitations? Consider yourself to be one who God has always had in mind to use—to effect your world with His own curious and special giftings within you.
Have you ever viewed your limitations as gifts? You should. But as you do, realize that it will take the Architect of all humanity to fully use and utilize the “you” that you truly are.
God is never surprised by our limitations. He is the God without limits—who lives and loves through those who allow Him to.
Yes, we are immersed within a world of need. And in a personal sense, we may feel that we are surrounded by our own needs, and our own limitations.
But God truly understands who we are. And just as important, He knows all that we are meant to be. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here at all.
But we are.
Consider yourself—your life, with all of your limits, pitfalls and imperfections—to be God’s very platform for impacting your world. Because He truly loves to do it, through us.
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
Apparently, in God’s world, the “foolish things” outweigh the world’s best wisdom, and the “weak” things of God are mighty—because He has chosen them.
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)
What God has chosen is far superior to anything left to its own devices within a fallen world.
Maybe it’s time that we—who love our Lord and Master—should view this helpless and hurting world through the lens of God’s own master plans.
Because if the world truly is the Lord’s, and we also are His, then nothing should really stop us. Nothing should really stop us—except possibly our own unbelief.
Remember friend, your God sees the whole person of you—your past and present you, but also your eternal future. He sees and knows you as you really are: with your limitations of today, but also as the person you will become—completely whole and without limitations.
By faith, see yourself right now as He truly sees you and knows you.
You Are Surrounded by Harvest
Every generation has its harvest field, but this last days generation we now live within and among is quite unique.
It is bigger and it is broader and it is ever so prone to delusion. It is on the brink of being lost—perverted by Satan’s pervasive deceptions.
OK—I think I’ve just made myself feel really small, insignificant and insufficient! 🙂 I think I’m feeling like a grasshopper among giants. Can you see where I am going with this?
“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”
“And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.” (Numbers 13:33, 14:1)
God had given the chosen people of Israel a revelation of His divine purpose for their lives. They were to go into a land of hostility—a place of giants, but a land already ordained by God to be theirs—if they would simply go and take it.
But unfortunately, all they saw were the giants. All they thought about was the opposition. And all they could see were their own weaknesses and limitations.
And they forgot the God who was with them—the One who would do the fighting for them, and who would utilize their very weaknesses to show Himself strong, and bring His glory.
Today, in our own day, the land is all around us. The opposition is all around us too. But God doesn’t see it that way.
He sees the harvest.
Everywhere and anywhere. It might be halfway across the planet, or it can be as close as our neighbor’s door. It may be a beloved family member, or it may be a total stranger.
The point is, the harvest surrounds us. It is all encompassing. The multitudes of opportunity are all around us. The many, or the one. Each and every one, so precious in God’s sight.
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” (John 4:35-38)
The fields of harvest are everywhere. But so are we.
We are the carriers of Divine purpose—and we are now called by the God of Everywhere. Because the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it all. The fullness of all 7.5 billion of us.
But if I’m not careful, I’m going to feel very afraid of the giants in the land. This world just seems too big. My strength seems much too small. Maybe it is true that I’m only a grasshopper in this world.
But look again at Christ’s words for us. Suddenly we see: this isn’t about how big the giants might be, nor is it about our own strength and abilities to take on our world.
This is about His harvest.
Jesus reminds His disciples, both then and now: you will go and reap where you did not sow. Others went before you, faithfully sowing but not seeing the results of what they planted. We must now bring in the harvest which was sown long ago, now ready to be brought in.
Shall we shrink back in disbelief? Anyone can do that. But if you decided that you will be a laborer in the harvest fields of your world, then you will find an opportunity to pray.
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Pray to the Lord of the Harvest. For He is in full control.
And if you decide to let your life and your light become a harvesting tool for Christ, He will surely show you how to be a workman, worthy of His hire.
My friend, lift up your eyes.
This world that surrounds you, is God’s own great harvest field.
And friend, you and I—and our amazing, Omnipresent Lord of the Harvest—are standing right in the middle of it.