Family Business part 5
The thing to remember--and we might get into this even more in the next Rant series... maybe--about being involved in the Father's business--the family business--is that we stewards. He created it. He gave it to us. And all we have to do is take care of it. All we have to do is receive it and release it. Look at 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." We have been given the mysteries of God. The secret that was hidden has been revealed. To us. And in us. And through us. And as us. The secret that is the ultimate truth of the universe: God is love and He loves you. That's the family business. That's what God is about. Because that's who God is. And in order to be faithful with what we've been given... we have to give it away. That's what it means to love someone--giving them everything you are and everything you have. Laying your life down for your friends. Jesus said that's the greatest love a man can have. And then He went to the cross and literally loved us with that love. And, listen, there are a group of people I would lay down my life for without even thinking about it... but I don't think that's necessarily what He meant in every case. I think laying our lives down, in a Spirtual sense, is about esteeming others higher than ourselves. Putting others first. Looking after the things of others instead of always looking out for ourselves. The difference between being self-centered and Christ-centered (people-centered). Again, that's being faithful stewards. Taking care of the gift we've been given by being careless with it. Loving people no matter what. Not because they deserve it, or because they've earned it, but because you have it. Period. And, like my pastor always says, "If you know it... throw it." Receive it and release it. Give what you've got. Obey that New Commandment for a New Man and love others with the love that Jesus loves you with. Be about your Father's business, and don't worry about what anybody else thinks about it. Be a good and faithful steward. Let what's inside come out by knowing and believing its in there. Let the LOVE inside come out by knowing and believing that you are loved. That you are love! They say if you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life. So if you do what you do WITH love... it doesn't matter what you do. Works and labor don't work. But doing whatsoever you do as unto the Lord makes it all worthwhile. And then, even higher than that, is doing that thing that makes you... you. Doing THAT thing with love. Being the best you that you can be by knowing who you really are. Jesus. God in the flesh. Love in a body. God in OUR flesh. Love in OUR body. That's the family business. And that's how we participate in it. Its all about love. Knowing that God loves you and loving Him back by loving the people that you come into contact with. Receive and release the gift you've been given. And in that way experience and enjoy it. Live the abundant, everlasting, eternal Resurrection Life of God by letting HIM live it in you, and through you, and as you!