Discovering God’s ultimate purpose in His story is something of a double-edged sword. On the one edge, the fact that He is ultimately interested in more than saving humanity is a revelation that can free us, from ourselves, to participate in the most exciting adventure of our lives.

At the same time, a discovery of such magnitude often leaves us with a fractured paradigm. This will leave many people uncomfortable, confused and spiritually disoriented. Don’t be alarmed; this is normal.

God uses the truth to make us free. With God, that can be like cutting our tether while floating in deep space. What we do next is critically important!!

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

When God frees us from one thing, it is always to focus on something better. He intends for us to focus on Him; and (this is the most important thing) He intends to help us. This you must believe!!

Here are three practical disciplines that will – in a very personally way – comfort, clarify and re-orient our minds toward God’s purpose in His call to more. As you will see, they are based on the three primary purposes of His story.

What you will discover in exercising these disciplines is a strong bond to His heart, and the desires that are waiting there for you.

Habitation

God desires to inhabit His people; and not each person individually. The New Jerusalem is the future physical manifestation of a present spiritual reality. We are members of Christ, and of each other. Where two or more are gathered, Jesus Christ is there with them. So, respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in the assimilation of your platoon. Here is a tool that will help you.

Intimacy

Let’s face it: We would prefer to be intimate with God by ourselves. We should go into our closet to meet with God, but not at the exclusion of intimacy with others and God, together. Prayer meetings have fallen by the wayside, primarily because they evolved into human-focused, list-oriented, one-way conversations. We must stop praying for what we want. We must start getting quiet, to hear what God wants, so we can pray for His desires. Any other prayer is less than effectual.

Reign

There is one selfish prayer that pleases God: That He would put His finger on those areas of our lives where He does not reign; and give us the grace to get off the throne that He has reserved for Himself. There are no words to express the importance of this. The magnitude of His call to more is directly proportional to the totality of His reign in our heart, mind, soul and body. This is a pursuit best accomplish both privately and in community. The prayer of Psalm 139:23-24 has been particularly helpful to me, in this regard.

In closing, let me encourage you that these disciplines are synergistic. While they are affective, in their own separate ways, God uses them together to accomplish His call to His kind of more.

God bless you with grace to pursue all three.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob