I was in the Air Force Air Guard from 1989-1996. Our unit was activated for Desert Storm. I loved putting on the uniform and serving my country. But one of the beauties of serving in guard or reserve units is you get the best of both worlds. You serve in the military but you also have a civilian life.
Living for God and living by His wisdom is kind of like that. If you follow Jesus, you live in this world while pursuing the spiritual one as well. You live in the physical world while seeing everything through spiritual eyes. When you don’t have Christ in your life, you only see the physical world.
We all want smarts: the ability to live well, and live for something much bigger than we are. We need real wisdom to do that. Jesus says in Matthew 6, “Prioritize the Kingdom of God in your life, live like Jesus, and God will give you everything else you need.” God will give you wisdom, the smarts, if you simply ask him for it according to James. So, it’s time we prioritize Kingdom. But how do we do that?
First, ask God into your everyday experience. I’m not talking about planning for tomorrow. I mean inviting God into your today…those everyday small decision you and I make. Paul even says, “[everyday], think about heavenly things not the things of this earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Students will be made fun of for following Jesus on campus. We are going to help people and love on people despite COVID-19. We are going to pray for our difficult marriage even though our friends think we are crazy. Some of us will give up promotions at work in order to be home more with our kids. The list goes on of how we invite God into our everyday occurrences. People will look at you as if you’re crazy and that’s okay. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.”
Secondly, we going to involve God in our planning for tomorrow. When we recognize how larger than life our God truly is, the natural thing to do is bow in submission. We give him priority in our life. One way we honor God and show him respect is by involving him in our plans for tomorrow.
We have calendars and make plans but we know they never supersede the sovereignty of God. As we plan, we make sure the idea is “if it is the Lord’s will”. Who should I marry? Should I get married? Should I take this promotion? Do I need to move? Should I continue this relationship? Where should I work? While we make definite plans to answer all these questions, God should be included in each one. It is vital to having wisdom for our futures.
Finally, invest in eternity. By including God in all your daily and future decision-making, you are acknowledging there is a God and you are not him. See, this world is not our home. We are just passing through. Our treasure is not located here but in heaven. So have the wisdom that only God can provide. Set as the most important thing in your life the Kingdom of God. That is, his will and desire. Live that out every day and every tomorrow. Then, God will grant you everything else you need in life.
May the Spirit guide you as you discern direction. May you discover how God has called you to live. May you be empowered to include God in your life every single day. Blessings on your journey.