Listen to the commentary

Dear Marketplace Friend,

Is this really “as good at it gets?” For some aspects of life, that might be an honest and accurate accounting of what’s plausible. But what if that’s a mindset that deflates the disciplines that could make today’s conditions the springboard for tomorrow’s possibilities? What if this isn’t “as good as it gets?”

Earthlings – members of the human community who have not been adopted into the family of God – have understandable limitations. Paul the Apostle contrasted the differences: “As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:48-49)

Once redeemed, the potential of the person who is now a citizen of Heaven – and the temple of the Holy Spirit – is unleashed in supernatural ways. Before redemption, the best we could aspire to be was aligned with the metrics of man. But now – in the state that God calls “born anew” – the measure of possibility rises: we can reasonably set our sights on being more like Jesus was while living alongside us. The summary description of his street cred: he was godly.

 ^“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

So, what is our personal agenda in this lifetime? Status quo? That’s dangerous: to assume that we’ve climbed to the highest level of the “like him” ladder is an invitation to mediocrity. Is there more?

Jesus didn’t land into his Earth mission with fully-developed humanity. He grew through the normal life seasons before launching his earthly ministry, at-or-about age 30. What was he doing to ready himself for that high-impact period? “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52).

In real time – from age 12-30 – he moved from Youth into Adult with emphasis on his infrastructure: intellectual (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favor with God), and relational (favor with man). Mind, body, soul and spirit were operative pursuits for him to be ready for the challenging years that would follow.

Those four dimensions of life place us in direct relationship with Jesus in his humanity. “Good enough” to fulfill his life requirements as the manager of a small family business in Nazareth would have been, for him, a willingness to settle for status quo. Instead, he was readying himself for the 1000 days that would forever change the course of Eternity.

Have you reached the zenith of your life and Kingdom mission? Are you satisfied with the progress you’ve made and the results you’re realizing already? Or, do you believe that there are new horizons, new opportunities, new achievements that will matter in your earth future as well as in the New Earth, with its million-year horizons?

Jesus worked on getting his life ready so that he’d be ready for his Life Work: “ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4). If God the Father intends to use you as uniquely as he did his own Son, what improvements/advancements might be important to assure that you’ll be ready when your time comes?

Today is great… but tomorrow – for followers of Jesus – is always supposed to be better. If you believe that, it’s time to examine your plans for kicking your personal core up a few notches today, to be ready for tomorrow. What should that action plan look like?

I’m glad you’re asking that question; we’ll address the specifics in our next conversation…

Bob Shank