What Are You Doing and Why Are You Doing It?

This question, “What are you doing and why are you doing it?” is something I present to other Christians when helping them sort out their “motives” for why they do what they do. Also, to see if what they’re doing is in line with how God has made them and gifted them. It gives them the chance to stop and “check-in” and to search their heart. So, what are you doing and why are you doing it?

If we do not take the time to stop once in a while and check our “motives” and the reasons behind the choices we make, we may end up off the “right” path and find ourselves lost in the woods. Thankfully, for the child of God, both the path and the destination are laid out already. And God has given us both a map and a compass: “The Word of God and the Spirit of God.” It is not the Word of God “or” the Spirit of God. It must be both. The written Word of God is the map, and the Holy Spirit is the compass. I know I said above that “both” the path and destination are laid out. But in saying that, I do not mean we all walk this path the same or arrive at the same time. And I am not saying there are no obstacles along the way. There are plenty of roots, rocks, and holes to stumble over and fall into. There are some serious grades in elevation together with slippery downhill slopes. Of course, as with any good hike, there are cliffs and predators too. But there are also beautiful trees, flowers and smells, sunrises and sunsets, fresh air, great resting spots, and breathtaking scenes. So, though we all are on the same path and end at the same destination, we do not all travel the path “the same” and we do not all arrive at the same time. Now regarding the path, not everyone on it recognizes danger when it is lurking. Not everyone trips over the same root or falls into the same hole. Some folks just climb differently than others. Some are wiser than others. Some run ahead without a care, paying for it later, while others examine every step. In other words, we all experience the journey differently.

Now suppose twelve of us happen to be in the same vicinity on the path. Personally, I would want to find one or two of you who are excellent map readers and a few others who are great at reading a compass. And I would stay near you. Also, I would look for those of you who are dressed for a hike. I would want to follow where you have stepped since you came prepared. Next, I would “befriend” the one with snacks and extra blankets. And of course, I would look for those of you carrying a rope, first-aid kit, or flashlight, since you thought both about your own safety and that of others. That sounds like “wisdom” to me. Then I would ask if we could share a little about ourselves, in hopes of building trust. I would ask, though uncomfortable, if when the sun sets and it becomes dark, we walk extra close and even help one another by holding hands, or even holding a rope. I would make sure I’m watching and listening to those who are well accustomed to reading maps and a compass. I would recognize that some of you may know a map well, but not know how to read a compass. While others would know a compass well but be unfamiliar with reading maps. I would ask that we stop every so often to check on how each one is doing. Also, that we agree to walk as a group, and no one goes ahead or falls behind. And if someone becomes injured, we walk slower for their sake. I would ask if we can agree to divide up the snacks fairly, and make sure everyone stays hydrated. I would ask that a few of you who are more familiar with the woods and have keen eyes and ears stay at the back to listen for and watch for predators. Lastly, I would ask that we sing aloud in order to keep predators away. And that those with maps keep us informed often together with helping us all learn how to read one. And that those more familiar with compass reading pass along their training to us all. In this way, I am convinced we’d all arrive at our destination in better condition than if we had of gone at it alone!

Putting all this another way, consider these verses: “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Eph 4:11-16, NLT).

We are all on the same path and will arrive at the same destination. But God did not design the Christian’s journey to be “walked alone.” We all have unique experiences, personalities, skills, gifts, and callings. Also, we each bear unique needs and struggles. Therefore, we BENEFIT each other, and we DEPEND on each other. We, as a “whole,” are Jesus’ physical presence on earth. And as a “whole,” we bear all the gifts of Jesus. But individually, we are just a leg, foot, arm, hand, mouth, or another part of Jesus. We have different spiritual gifts and callings. But when we’re “each” doing our part, we’ll “reflect” Jesus fully. So, I need you, and you need me. It is true, however, as Paul points out, that some of us are leaders, pastors, and teachers within the group. And those pieces bear a greater responsibility. But those pieces are not “better” than any other. They are simply a “support muscle” to help keep blood flowing to other parts.

Finally, if you, yourself, are living according to your gifting and calling in Christ, and walking out this journey, or “path”, with a group of like-minded individuals, and not walking alone, then you should arrive in excellent condition.

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 3:13-14