To What Do You Aspire?
When we were a child, we often made statements as to what profession we desired when we grew up. Some children want to be a police officer or a firefighter as they think that is a cool job. Some want to be a soldier and others a teacher or maybe even a preacher as they look up to an adult that holds such job or position. As a child we did not know what “aspiration” meant, and some are not sure about the meaning yet. One definition given for aspiration is: a strong desire to achieve something high or great.
As children, sometimes adults would ask what we wanted to be when we grew up. It is possible that more than a few thought I was being smart when my response was “When I grow up, I want to be a man.” I had no idea what an aspiration was, but it seemed to me that I needed to grow up before I could determine what I would do as an adult. Like other young people, I thought some careers were more desirable than others were, and often changed my mind about what I might want to do, but as a youth, still not sure what I wanted out of life.
It should be apparent that our aspiration will be our priority. Jesus spoke of this about half way through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:33. He made this statement so that the Jews would know that they had spiritual needs that were greater than their physical needs. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God has always provided for humanity. He created man and gave him the ability to choose. Unfortunately, not all will choose to serve God as they should and not all will “aspire” to greatness in the kingdom. As sad as it is, even some children of God, Christians, do not aspire to be great in the kingdom of God.
It should be a priority of each Christian to be great in the kingdom. This does not necessarily mean that all men in the church will be preachers, elders, deacons or hold some other position in the church. In Mark 10:42-43 Jesus instructed the apostles in this regard after James and John made request that each of them set on the right and left hand of the Savior in the kingdom. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: Of course, these disciples were thinking of an earthly kingdom, of which the Jews were improperly expecting.
Many a faithful and concerned Christian mother has expressed the desire to their young sons, the proper aspiration they should have; not that they had to be preachers or elders in the church, but to be “good Christian men”. They also teach their daughters the need to become good Christian wives and mothers as they mature physically and in the faith. These mothers understand the importance of instilling in these young minds the proper desire of faithful service to God.
This is the same thing we find in Philippians 3:13-14 as the Spirit had Paul write to those brethren. The Spirit was having Paul tell them that although they had “aspired” to go to heaven, they hadn’t yet made it, and must continue to strive to get there. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We cannot attain that which we aspire to do or become in this life unless we continue on the course that will result in our receipt of the thing which we desire. We cannot just “sit back” and wait for what we desire to simply happen. This is true in the case of a career, educational pursuits, and all other aspects of our life. Why would it not be true in the area of our spiritual aspirations as well? Perhaps this is why we have the admonition of Philippians 2:12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Even salvation cannot be obtained without working for it.
In Romans 2:6-7 the Spirit had Paul tell them that God will judge all based on their deeds in this life, but notice who it is that will receive the eternal prize. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: I don’t think anyone “aspires” to be in the group mentioned in the next two verses. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Let us all aspire to go to heaven and faithfully follow God’s Word in love and devotion to Him.
Dennis Strickland - Mooresville church of Christ
