The Vast and Endless Sea

A few weeks ago, I read an inspiring quote you might enjoy. . . It seems true in my life and in my relationship with God.

"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
- Antoine de Saint Exupery

That does, in fact make pretty good sense. Achieving something great is not only about good organization and planning but about inspiring big dreams. You may be able to accomplish short term goals by the sheer strength of will, but lasting change requires more.

Experience has taught me that I can will myself to knowledge, but not to wisdom. I can will myself to pleasure, but not to happiness. I can will myself to money, but not to a sense of security. I can will myself to veggies and aerobics, but not to good health. I can will myself to bed, but not to sleep. All of which leads me to conclude that lofty goals are not attainable simply through the exercise of my will. So what motivates me to reach higher? Why should I stretch myself? In 2 Corinthians 13:11, Paul writes;

Finally, brothers, aim for perfection. . .be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

It’s not just about hitting the goal. Paul seems to be saying that God will bless us for aiming in the right direction. His greatest desire is to see lifelong, eternal change take place in my soul. But He accepts my failure and blesses my beggarly attempts to do better.

One time, A.W. Tozer attempted to explain God’s love like this: “I can no more do justice to this awesome and wonder-filled topic than a child can grasp a star. Still, by reaching toward the star the child may call attention to it and even indicate the direction one must look to see it. And so, I stretch my heart toward the high, shining love of God so that we may be encouraged to look up and have hope.”

Let’s spend our time together this week stretching our hearts toward the high, shining love of God so that we may be encouraged, have hope, and ultimately be transformed.