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Reality of Purpose or the Frustration of Achievement Part 1

I have lived a while on this earth, I’ve been following Jesus all that time…(saved at seven years old) and in my journey of life in church, college and seminary and then into full time ministry as a pastor and in evangelism I have observed something I am going to deal with for the next few weeks.

I am talking about committed believers and followers of Jesus.

Few see the reality of their calling or dream but live a life of almost constant frustration.

This frustration is either moderate that can be covered or controlled or is severe bring on constant or periodic bouts of depression and unexplainable unhappiness. Even in the face of seeming success or achievement the feeling of failure is present.

You feel you have never done enough. You are haunted with the feeling of ‘what if’ or ‘maybe if I had’.

For some of you younger people this problem may have only been with you a few years but for others it has been a lifetime of frustration. Even today I spoke to a very successful man both spiritually and materially…I thought. I shared with him a bit of what I was writing about in this column and he said, “I deal with frustration every day and feel I do not have the achievement I should have or desire.”

A question is can one have the Peace of Jesus and the fruits of the Holy Spirit and still have goals and ambition?

I feel sad for the people living in this frustration and inter conflict.

Is it truly possible to live and do the will of God without the frustration?

Is life a constant pressure for the next thing or next goal or next ‘high’ of achievement? This could be the next song or the next message or the next church building or the next project.

I do believe many religious people, as well as religious leaders are addicted to activity for God rather than relationship with God. The difference is immense. Ministry is an action to please or achieve rather than a natural overflow of our fellowship with Jesus.

Jesus put it so clearly. “If you love me you will keep my commandments!”

Get the heart right and the focus right and obedience, ministry and sharing Jesus will just flow from within you. Doing the will of Jesus will be your pure flow and you will love your calling and mission. You will have joy even it the most difficult times. Every moment will have value. You can smile through the tears of suffering and pain. You can have peace in a place of war. You can look beyond the clouds and know the sun is shining. You can look beyond the cross and see the resurrection. No matter how tough, how bad, how you hurt you will have that supernatural peace of Jesus with a contentment of heart that defies logic or reason.

You will know ‘Jesus is with me, always’!

God is almighty and all power is in Jesus Hand and I am in His Hand. I will not fear man or even myself but I will trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding!

The journey will be as enjoyable as the destination.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1