IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1 AMP.)

John bought a mini farm in central Pennsylvania and moved from New Jersey to fulfill his dream of becoming a farmer. Like Douglas on the TV sitcom Green Acres, he bounced around all day on a small tractor, cultivating his pride and joy—Indian corn. He once told me that it amazed him every time he husked an ear. Each one differed with vibrant colorful markings. John was passionate about his corn. Eventually, he died selling his bountiful crop at a local farmer’s market. Is there any better way to leave this earth than in doing that, which brings the most satisfaction?

In Joshua chapter four, the Hebrew priests must have experienced a good deal of satisfaction when the waters of the Jordan River parted at their feet. Consider how long it took for the nation of Israel to cross over to the other side. A caravan of over 1,000,000 people (that’s a conservative estimate), plus livestock does not move any distance in a matter of hours. And what about the ark the priests were holding on their shoulders. It wasn’t like carrying an empty cardboard box. It took six able-bodied men to transport the thing.

As the priests stood on the bed of the Jordan holding that very heavy box and waiting for all those people to cross, the waters must have looked threatening. I imagine tidal waves crashing against the God-engineered barrier. (In a footnote, I read that historians and scientists believe that a mudslide occurred at precisely the time they wanted to cross the river. I suppose God can use whatever means He wants to accomplish His will. And that doesn’t change the fact that it happened at that very moment that the priests set their feet in the waters.)

While they waited and watched, the priests must have grown weary. What if one priest said, “I’m tired. I’ve had enough. I’m scared, I quit.”? It only takes one person to abort a mission. Most likely, however, the entire Levitical tribe took shifts in bearing the weight of the ark, since it would have taken days for all the Israelites and their animals to walk to the opposite side of the river. Working together, the priests demonstrated their passion about seeing their people enter the Promise Land.

I see a beautiful picture of the role of Christians in this passage. In the book of First Peter, we are called the “royal priesthood” of God. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 AMP).

Like the priests of Joshua’s day, we carry the yoke of God’s covenant, and God commands us to step into the depths of the unknown to ensure safe passage for all those who will believe. We work together, and as some grow weary, others step into position, taking care so that God’s word does not falter or fail. Eventually, God will tell Jesus to bring those bearing the cross onto the eternal shore. Carrying the gospel so that all God’s elect may enter the “Promised Land” should become our passion.

When Jesus Christ becomes our passion, He fashions our lives, our desires, and our expectations. Then our hope mirrors that of Paul’s. This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through (by) life or through (by) death (Philippians 1:20 AMP). There is no doubt that Paul’s passion was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Read carefully the next verse in Philippians, For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity] (1:21).

Paul’s desire for himself, for the believers at Philippi, and for all future believers was to exemplify Christ through actions as well as speech. Many times, by our behavior, we allow our end of the “ark” to tilt, forcing other bearers to compensate for the weight shift. A thoughtless word, undo fear, or failure to discern the word of God causes us to disgrace ourselves and put to shame the name of Jesus.

For me, procrastination ranks high on my list of disgraceful activities. How much more could I have done to further the gospel, if I had been diligently working toward the goal God has set before me? If I had been writing with the same zealousness my friend, John, had in cultivating his Indian corn, I’d have several books written and published by now. Well at least, I wouldn’t be skipping a week here and there with this Bible study. I admit that I have failed and failed miserably at completing the task set before me. As I pray for forgiveness and strive to better manage my time, my only hope remains in Christ. Sometimes, I want Him to sit me down, fill my head with His message, and force my fingers to punch the correct keys on the keyboard. It never happens that way. I have to willfully sit in this computer chair, open the Bible study file, meditate on the Scripture passages, and pray fervently for guidance.

God honors us when we commit ourselves to His work and desire to bring glory to Jesus Christ. His joy abounds in us and strengthens us to begin, to proceed, and to complete the work. As we continue in His will, we gather a good deal of satisfaction—the same type of satisfaction that we see in Paul. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate ourselves to spreading the gospel and conduct ourselves in a manner pleasing to Him. He becomes our life and our reward in death.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your joy in my passion and productivity. And thank You for carrying out Your plan of salvation in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* Communicating the accessibility of the joy of the Lord, which is our strength*

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