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When Did You Become Smarter?
Hosea 11:1
"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."
A sad commentary is made about Israel in this chapter as God talks about their departing ways. He reminded Israel how in their infancy He was there for them. In fact, it was God Who was responsible for Israel's existence. Yet, they thought they were smarter than God, and left Him for what they thought were better ways. God loved them when no one loved them. God helped them when everyone was against them. God healed them when others were bent on destroying them. It's sad that Israel thought that they were smarter than God.
However, this story seems to repeat itself daily in the different areas of life. For instance, it is always refreshing to watch a young child with their parents. In the early stages of a child's life they seem to think that their parents know everything, and with unwavering trust they will follow what they tell them to do. However, when that young child grows into their teenage years, you will often see them question everything that their parents say and do. My question to this teenager is, when did you get smarter than your parents? Why is it that you think you know so much more than your parents?
Likewise, a young Christian comes to a church and soaks up the leadership and preaching of their pastor. How refreshing it is to see young Christians with their hunger for the LORD. Yet, as the years progress that young Christian begins to think they know more than their pastor. This is not to say that the Christian hasn't grown in certain areas, but why do they now think that they are smarter than their pastor?
Over and over again this example could be mentioned. Nations that once used to think their forefathers were brilliant will now disdain their principles. Preachers who once used to follow the teachings and principles of a great man of God, will now think they know more because they have pastored for a few years. Employees who once used to follow their boss' advice now seem to think that they know more than their boss. Why is it that anyone would think that they have become smarter than the one who trained or invested in them?
First, they have allowed the wrong influences to change their thinking. A teenager will allow the adverse influence of a peer to influence what they think about their parents. It's not to say that the teenager isn't becoming wiser, but it's the fact that their parents don't seem to do anything right. You must be careful about allowing wrong influences to dictate your thinking about those who have trained and influenced your life.
Second, the reason someone would think they are smarter is because they forgot what someone has done for them. Don't ever forget what your parents have done for you. Don't ever forget what the forefathers of your nation have instilled as the principles of that nation. Don't ever forget the principles of a preacher who helped formulate your spiritual mindset. Don't allow a suave personality who has done nothing for you change your thinking about someone.
Third, the biggest reason someone thinks that they are smarter than those who helped them become who they are is because that person or people have forgotten who they really are. Even when you have progressed in life, you should never forget what others have invested in you. Be careful about allowing a little success to cause you to think higher of yourself than you ought. Always work at keeping a right perspective of yourself.
Don't allow yourself to think you are smarter than God and those who have invested in you. Always remember what helped get you to where you are. Simply put, don't get too big for your britches!
Your Ultimate Goal
Daniel 9:3
"And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:"
Let me ask you a question, and before you read any further I want you to write your answer down on a piece of paper. What is your ultimate goal in life? When you look at the end of your life, what is it that you want to have accomplished?
The goals of people are as diverse as their personalities. It is no doubt that many have a goal of success. When you look at the amount of success books in today's society, you will understand that people want to succeed. What they want to succeed at is certainly different, but they want to succeed. There are pastors whose ultimate goal is to have a large church. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a large church. There are many people whose goal it is to be wealthy. There are some whose goal is to move up the corporate ladder. There are others whose goal is to be famous in society. Then there are some whose goal is to have a happy family, or a successful marriage. Of course, these things I just mentioned are a few of the goals that many people have.
However, when you look at Daniel's life, he did not seek any of these things. The verse above says, "And I set my face unto the Lord God,..." Daniel's ultimate goal in life was to know God. He spent his life seeking the face of God. He did not seek money or position, he sought God. He did not seek fame or recognition, he sought God. He did not seek success or religious achievement, he sought God. The only thing that really mattered to Daniel was to get to know God. He was so determined to know God that he fasted and prayed just so he could know Him. Yet, you may wonder if this desire to seek God allowed him to "succeed" in life. Yes, it did! Though he did not seek position, he became the second in command in Babylon. He did not seek recognition, but certainly he was a household name around the world as Babylon was the world power in his day. He did not seek riches, yet I would imagine his position allowed him to be financially set for life. All of this happened because his ultimate goal in life was to know God.
I asked you at the beginning of this devotional to write down your ultimate goal in life. Now let me ask you this, was your goal to know God? If you have anything else written down on that piece of paper, then you have the wrong motive for your life. You must understand that knowing God will allow you to accomplish many of the things that people desire. However, seeking God should be your ultimate goal in life. When you get to know God, He will give you the wisdom to succeed in life. Though your purpose in knowing God should not be so that you can succeed in life, yet knowing God will make these things happen.
Christian, it is time to refocus your purpose and ultimate goal in life. Don't let the world's focus be your focus. Make your focus in life to know God. Set your face to seek God. Make your ultimate desire in life to know God as Daniel knew Him. You will find that when you get to know God, that He will give you wisdom to do what is right in every area of life. You cannot know God without Him influencing every area of your life. When God influences every area of your life, then you will find that His influence will cause every area to get better. Start your quest today to know God. Make that your ultimate goal.