SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1227

“Set a Course – Engage!”

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. – Luke 9:51

I love the command sequence in Star Trek. The captain commands the helmsman to set a course and speed for a particular destination. The helmsman replies ‘Course laid in, Sir’. The captain commands ‘Engage!’

As Jesus conducted His ministry on earth He had one main heading – to die for our sins, rise again, and bring salvation to all who will believe in Him. His course was set, and He was fully engaged in following it. Every destination waypoint throughout His ministry served a purpose in moving toward His Heaven-bound heading.

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” …I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” – Mark 1:38; John 14:31,11:7

The Lord wants us to set a course for heaven. He desires that we engage all our God-given resources in carrying out our daily activities to continually move toward that heading. Is Heaven the main heading of your life? Are you fully engaged in moving toward that heading?

Paul was fully engaged in his heaven-bound course and heading.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. – Philippians 1:21-23; 2 Timothy 4:7-9

With the course of our life locked in toward joining our Lord in heaven, every waypoint along life’s journey is chosen and evaluated by its ministry contribution in serving Jesus as well as moving us along the correct heading. Like our fictional Start Trek counterparts exploring space, we are only sojourners here on earth. Eternity in heaven with our Lord awaits us as our ultimate destination.

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. – 1 Peter 2:11; Proverbs 4:25-27

Some of us have difficulty with the ‘Engage!’ command. We may be fearful of taking the next steps in our life journey. Perhaps we need to choose a career path, education course of study, invest in starting our own business, or getting married and starting a family.

The destination waypoints are numerous and varied and we can fail to engage because of fear of making a ‘wrong’ decision. We suffer from analysis paralysis. This is where God’s Word lights our path, increases our faith, and by His Grace, we are equipped to move forward in boldness and courage, trusting in Him.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. – Psalm 5:8

May the Word of God bring light to your heart, mind and soul dispelling the darkness of doubt and fear that keeps you from fully executing His command to ‘Engage!’

May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you – 1 Peter 1:2-4