In All Things, Act In The Benefit Of Jesus & His Gospel Message
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause…’ (Job 5:8)
Many people have causes; in addition to those seeking political change through protests or the extreme of rioting, we have local drives to achieve results desired by those who are interested in such pursuits. Jesus Loves You Ministry and Pregnancy Solutions help those who need a helping hand. In North Port, we have ‘People for Trees’ whose cause is to ensure North Port is not completely stripped of trees as it becomes developed.
These are not necessarily causes that I am dedicated to, although I do support the first two through donations. I respect ‘People for Trees,’ although I also think if you don’t want that oak tree in your yard to go ahead and cut it down, without the need to get permission. However, the City of North Port and the Charlotte County Commissioners may disagree with my thoughts on that subject, so check for the possibility of obtaining a permit first.
We had people come together for various causes over the years; some are annual drives such as the giving of food for Thanksgiving or Christmas to fill bags to donate to others. Others are more driven talent-wised, like making quilts, knit caps, or sweaters for people in need. I applaud these efforts, and but I don’t feel the need to get out the sewing machine and start attempting to make these articles, and knowing how they would turn out is probably better for all involved that I don’t. I am glad others feel strongly about it, but I don’t feel guilty about not wanting to do this, as it’s not my thing.
Several men love to fish, and their cause is to ensure the fish in North Port’s canals and creeks do not become overpopulated with sea creatures. For me, I have to convince myself that getting bit by mosquitos and sitting in the sun while the fish aren’t biting is appealing to me, this lasts for about 20 minutes, then I’m ready to go do something else. Some men love to work on their cars, while I like to make an appointment at the dealership.
What is my thing? Secularly, I am a strong proponent of gun rights and staunch supporter of our US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and especially the 2nd Amendment (as it is the one right that defends all other inalienable rights, in my humble opinion. I like to go the range (something I haven’t done in a while but am committed to doing in the next couple of weeks) and shoot guns, clean guns, fix guns, read about guns, etc. I’m also a history geek; I love to read or watch items about historical events and people. These may not appeal to you, and that’s OK. I am certain you may have a cause or a hobby (perhaps raising tarantulas) that won’t appeal to me, either, but I’m OK with your cause (as long as you keep the tarantulas to yourself).
But no matter what earthly pursuit, cause, or hobby that you have, we all have a greater calling, that supersedes our fishing, our sewing, our concern for trees or even others. It is the Cause of Christ. We often seek truth in what we pursue, and in many ways, we believe we are defined by those pursuits. But our earthly causes mean nothing unless we please our Lord first and foremost.
My greater cause is to follow Christ and do what he wishes me to do, and then when I have accomplished His needs, then I will, with Jesus in the lead and ensuring there are no conflicts, pursue those outside interests. I want to be defined first as doing what Christ wants me to do first; teaching, studying, and sharing the Word of the Lord, and providing my thoughts in these Word-of-the-Day postings because the Cause of Christ comes first. In another act of worship, I ensure the tithe check is written as soon as the pay is deposited because the Cause of Christ comes first.
When I do pursue those outside interests, I don’t turn the Cause of Christ off but try to incorporate Christ in those outside pursuits. The folks running the Jesus Loves You Ministry obviously place Jesus first and foremost in their cause of assisting others as its in their name. Those who support Pregnancy Solutions, or who sew or knit; most of them have Jesus in mind while making them. Jesus also goes with fishing, and He goes with cars and guns, too. Jesus goes with protesting, especially if the cause is just, during the civil rights movement with Dr. M.L. King.
How can you determine if Christ is not part of a pursuit? In terms of protesting, would those protesting in Minneapolis in 2020, or in Los Angeles over the last week, have destroyed so much if they placed Christ first and foremost within their cause? Even fishing or shooting can be perverted if the goals are to poaching protected species or violate limits set by authorities. Even if a woman sewing a quilt does it for her own self promotion is a pursuit not out of the love for Christ but only for self-gratification. I have been asked many times to make a book printed of the postings of the Word-of-the-Day; I may do so, but if I did, it would not be for profit or self-promotion as what I do for Christ is for His glory, not for mine.
Can fishing or shooting be to God’s Glory? Praise God for the ability He has given you to catch fish, and be thankful for the skills He provides allowing you to shoot straight and accurate. Be thankful for the resources He has provided you to participate, and use your skills and passions to be a platform for outreach and evangelism. If you include God into every equation, the results will be blessed! Whatever you have a passion for, you as a Christian have a passion beyond what you have for your cause, or hobby, or interest; you have to have a passion for Christ and in turn have Christ involved in all of your earthly passions.
