Given
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 2 Tim 1:9-10 (KJV)
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 2 Tim 1:14 (KJV)
Of all that’s been given to you, what do you still keep around? Why are certain things singled out to be kept, and in what condition are they kept?
I tend to have great difficulty parting with little items that were given by certain people who have held a significant place in my life. Though I may never really use them, there is a tendency to keep them in a drawer or at least in a box in the attic. So many things that, while good themselves, are really kept around because of sentimental reasons rather than practical ones. Though they may never be unearthed for years, there is a connection to the heart that disallows them getting the trip to Goodwill.
There are other items that may have been received as gifts, but are also directly connected to a life purpose. They are kept around, but not necessarily in a long-forgotten place under the bed or in the closet. They are in a place where they are frequently seen or where they are quickly and easily accessed. I remember one such item like this was a digital metronome I received from my parents when I was studying the guitar in college. I had been using an old mechanical one that never quite kept an even click going. One side of the pendulum’s swing was slightly shorter than the other, making it a bit of a challenge to practice scales evenly. This new digital version, however, came with a flashing light, an audible click, an A-440 pitch, a simple knob to adjust the tempo, and a perfectly timed click. I was so thrilled with this gift and it became a companion of mine through many hours of practice, partly because it was a gift from my parents, but very specifically because it was a part of my life’s purpose. I still have it around, although my children’s use of it has moved it to various places in the home. Whenever it is seen or used it still represents not only an expression of love from my parents, but a direct contribution to a developed purpose in me. Because of this, there is a strong passion for its preservation.
Of all the incredible things of eternal value that are simply gifts of love to us from the Father, which ones are readily accessed and which ones are under a pile of other, yet to be discarded items in the attic? While all of them are good and of incredible significance, it would seem that the requirements of sentimentality and practicality would hold true for them as well. The greater the relationship with the One who gave them and the more they apply to life’s purpose, the more they will not only exist within our possession somewhere, but actually receive use on a regular basis. Partaking of what He has provided and fulfilling a purpose with the right tools will have everything to do with passionate pursuit of His presence and the purpose that is only found in identification with Christ. Otherwise, no matter how ‘good’ they are all the time, they will be somewhere hidden behind something and no more than a casual remembrance and part of an impractical accumulation of stuff. A worship life will reveal so much goodness that was there all along, but just required a priority elevation found only in pursuit of the Father’s face.