Its never enough · Jul 13, 08:38 AM

♫♪ I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you ♪

♪But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for♫

So I move on to a new role, hoping that in it I will hit my stride and find what I have been created for.

However, I suspect that in 10 or 15 years, or whenever I come to the end of my journey, I will still feel dissatisfied with the visible indications of my outward accomplishments in life. I can never be a good enough husband, father, grandfather, influence enough people, make enough friends, start enough groups, win enough laurels, write enough books — to feel that I have fully fulfilled what God created me to do. Because the most important reason that God created me was to have intimate fellowship with him.

At the end of the day, it is not about what we do outwardly that will change the world and give us satisfaction, it is about who we are internally. The internal choices we make as a response to our victories and failures: the choice to resent or forgive, to fear or to trust, to hate or to love, to be indifferent or to care, to be critical or to be merciful, to grumble or to be deeply content and thankful. The choice to love.

This is what my aim is in this next phase of my journey. To learn to love, to trust. To believe, to be grateful to just contentedly “BE” in his presence. That will be enough.

The kingdom of heaven is within you.

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Comment

  1. I continually enjoy your posts; however this has to be one of the best, if that makes sense. I appreciate your openess, vulnerability, and truthfulness. Thanks for letting us see into your heart. And I love the song as well… much love,
    Micah

    — Micah Heath · Jul 13, 05:33 PM · #

  2. One of the greatest gifts about both of you is how unaware you are of how far stretching your and Debbie’s ministry is. Your acceptance of everyone has influenced many, many more than you realize. You are changing people’s worlds that you have no idea of just by being the wonderful witnesses you are.

    — kristin bendixen · Jul 13, 06:32 PM · #

  3. I thought you might like the song Micah.
    Kristen, good to hear from you, thanks for the encouragement

    — joseph · Jul 14, 07:21 AM · #

  4. Well said Joseph. My dad has said for years that our “ministry” is who we are. I am just beginning to understand that. I am also learning that our ultimate goal is a closer relationship with God. Activities that impact the world are just opportunities to join Him in what He is doing and get to know Him better. Thanks for reminding us of this.

    — Jack Kopechek · Jul 14, 08:06 AM · #

  5. I would have to agree with Micah. Thanks for sharing!

    — Liza · Jul 15, 09:16 AM · #

  6. Hi Joseph,
    As you know I am 71 this year and have come to a simular conclusion that life comes down to my relationship with Father and with others and Doing my best to give unqualfied love and unlimited forgiveness. Some days I do well other days not so good.
    Love and Blessings
    Michael

    — Mike Cook · Aug 5, 01:19 PM · #

  7. Fruit is our personal growth. Fruitfulness is how our life effects others.

    — Mike Cook · Aug 5, 01:21 PM · #

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