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A Morning View Near the Patio

Sometimes I find that I know people, but really do not know people. When you get to communicate with who people really are they often are so much different than you think. When you hear their story it changes my perspective of who they are and what they do. I have met and heard the story of many amazing people in my life. Everything in their story informs who they are, how they live and react to life moving forward.
When people meet another each other one of the first ice breaking questions asked is, "So, what do you do?" We are defined by our career. I remember being invited by my friend to go on a golf trip with a group of men and telling him to not let people know I am a pastor. I was not ashamed to be a pastor, but I just wanted people to not have preconceived notions and treat me different because I am a pastor. Plus, I wanted to just be Bill. I never lied or hid it, but I did not want to just be defined as pastor. We often label, talk to and refer everything to the career and not the person.
All of that being said, I think this morning it is important to realize that all labels, actions, jobs, degrees and position we hold in the world matters not at all in the grand eternal scheme of our lives. Being CEO of a company and being a laborer in the same company means nothing. Being President of the United States or being homeless means nothing. What matters is being a repentant, reconciled, forgiven, grace filled follower of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge life achievement is so important, but it pales in comparison to freedom of forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ.
As I sit at home I realize what matters is me and my relationship with God. Many things I do define me, but only one thing matters and that is my relationship with Jesus Christ.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  - John 15:5-8
Peace,
PB

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