1 Corinthians 3: 18,
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
DAILY READING Mark 12:1-27; 1 Kings 3; Hosea 6:1-7:2
James Irwin is the 8th man to ever walk on the moon. He was part of the Apollo 15 mission crew, which made the 4th human landing on the moon. He was also the first person to ever ride a lunar cart, or vehicle on the moon.
However while on this mission, James Irwin had an encounter with God that changed his life forever.
While on the moon, he tried to set up an experiment that repeatedly refused to work. Already he and his fellow astronaut, had spent an elongated period of 3 days on the moon, working for an extended period with little rest. Outside their spacesuits, the temperature on the lunar surface was 150 degrees. As a result, James was sweating greatly, and was losing his electrolyte balance, which could trigger a heart attack. The longer they stayed on the moon the more dangerous it became, as chances of a heart attack increased. Frustrated in his attempts to get the experiment to work, James cried out to God. Although he had been raised in a Christian home, he had no real relationship with God, but he realized at this point he really needed God’s wisdom to be able to get the experiment to work. So he said, “God I need your help right now.” As he said the short prayer, suddenly Irwin experienced the presence of Jesus Christ in a remarkable way, unlike anything he ever felt on earth. He was overwhelmed at seeing and feeling God’s presence so close. The Lord showed him the solution to the problem and the experiment was set up and worked perfectly. This unusual encounter with Jesus, from 238,000 miles above earth, changed Irwin’s life.
After his return from the moon, God dropped it in his heart that he had a responsibility to mankind to share the Gospel with everyone. And that was exactly what James did. Within a year of his return from space, he resigned from NASA and formed High Flight Foundation, which is on a quest to reach the world as “goodwill ambassadors for the Prince of Peace.”
As he travelled around preaching the Gospel, he told people that Jesus walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon. As James Irwin traveled the world, he presented small flags he carried from the moon to leaders of various countries, using that also as opportunity to share the Gospel.
Indeed nothing matters in this life more than God. When astronauts look at our planet from the outer space it is just like a small blue ball, that is why they call it the ‘blue planet.’
And interestingly, from space one can’t even see the biggest structures on earth. The greatest mansions, best cars or greatest companies are invisible from outer space. To an astronaut looking from up there, everything is just one big blue blur. The things that are considered important on earth, are not even visible from space.
This is why we have to put things in proper perspective and prioritize our relationship with God above all else.
We must keep our focus on our relationship with God and shun the pursuit of mundane things.
In Isaiah 45:22, God says “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Our salvation comes from our focus on God. We should keep looking unto Jesus The author and finisher of our faith.
The more we look on God the more our lives are transformed to manifest God’s glory on the earth.
1 Corinthians 3: 18, says: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
There is a call of God upon our lives, which we must focus on, and not allow ourselves to be distracted by mundane things. As good soldiers we must not be entangled with the frivolities of this world.
Every child of God is a product of divine predestination, created with a particular and well-defined purpose.
Romans 8:29-30 says ‘For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified’
Our focus must be on God. It is our degree of commitment to seeking God first that determines our ultimate height in the race of life. Destiny is essentially a race of responsibilities. And the utmost responsibility for us is to seek God and His kingdom above everything else. When we do then every other thing is added unto us.
Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by the choices you make. We must fight to keep our focus on Christ. Nothing is more valuable than focus on God in the journey of life. If you stop seeking God, you start sinking fast in the sea of life.
Focus your life on what really matters, when you seek first God’s kingdom, then every other thing will come after you. You are either running with a vision, going on a mission, or burning with a passion. If you lack any of these, life is reduced to a burden. But when we seek God’s will life becomes exciting.
We strengthen our focus by reading, studying and meditation upon The Word of God. It is The Word of God within us that strengthens our focus on God. Every change begins from within.
Maintaining God as your focus is what turns you to a focus among men. When you run after God, things will run after you. What follows you is determined by who you are following. When you seek God, good follows you.
Therefore decide today, to place your ultimate value on God and surely, He will turn you to a wonder among men.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to focus on You, through diligent study of Your Word, and obedience to Your commands. I know that when I seek You first, then indeed every other thing shall be added unto me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
The study of The Word will keep shame and disgrace far from you.
WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]