"Show Up"

    I was once asked by a gentleman, "What is your philosophy of life?"  I needed no time to consider a response, having determined many years ago that two words express what I believe to be the best way to think about life and the living thereof.  "Show up," I said.  "Whatever our calling and responsibility to God and man may be, everything begins by our showing up."

    "Present yourselves a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).

    For the born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, showing up begins at the throne of God.  We consistently acknowledge His rightful possession and determination of our selves and our lives.  As the prophet affirmed, "Here am I.  Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).  Day by day, we prayerfully submit ourselves to the glory, will, and eternal purpose of God in Christ.  This leads to a life of meaning and significance, whether in matters that seem to obviously correspond with spiritual realities, or in the mundane, apparently earthly matters that no less involve our relationship with the Lord.  "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).  We show up at the throne, as it were, in order that we may show up along the pathways of privileged responsibilities that proceed from the throne.

    In those matters that we know to be God's will, showing up comprises a major portion of fulfilling our responsibilities.  We seek to be ready and prepared, of course, but most of all, we recognize and expect that to a large extent, our Lord takes over when His willing vessel arrives at the scene of duty.  "Here am I, Lord.  Send me."  The Spirit of God works in every believer to form this philosophy of life that must translate into the practicality of life.  As one sage of old declared, "our greatest ability is availability."  Indeed, we present ourselves to God for the sublime purpose of honoring Him and representing Him to others in a manner that inspires, informs, and influences.  "Show up."  I can think of no better philosophy of life and no better way to live our lives through the Lord Jesus.

"Be ready to every good work."

(Titus 3:1)

"Hearken unto Me now therefore, o ye children, and attend to the words of My mouth."

(Proverbs 7:24)