Reach

How is your reach? Our 160 pound Great Dane, Jake, is so tall that he can reach pretty much anything he wants from the kitchen counter, yet when he’s alone with his sister, Ella, while we’re out, he’s never attempted to grab a snack. He’s eaten through several rugs and his bed, but he leaves the bread basket and the pantry shelves alone. He could easily take what he wanted, but he doesn’t.

Once last summer, however, when my daughter spent a Saturday baking pastries from scratch in my kitchen, Jake got into mischief! A dozen cranberry orange rolls sat cooling along the counter while we enjoyed dinner together on the back porch. We heard the crash before we realized Jake’s absence. By the time my daughter reached the kitchen, only four pastries remained untouched. Another four were on the floor where they fell beneath the wire rack and the final four were missing in action! Jake’s reaction left little doubt about what had happened. He saw his chance and he took it! That reach got him some goodies but it was difficult for my daughter to forgive him that day! His 117 pound sister, Ella, watched cautiously from the sidelines, but she missed out on the goodies.

It seems the world is finally waking up in the aftermath of the pandemic. Quarantine fatigue first drove a daring few to move back out into the world as if to prove it’s safe to stretch again. Today, traffic is congested, parking lots are filled, and families are vacationing. Still there are those of us who remain cautious. We’re all reaching for something daily, but our differing perspectives and personalities dictate just how far we’ll extend ourselves to take hold of the prize. Nevertheless, we will be missing out on the goodies if we refuse to reach outside ourselves!

The apostle Paul spoke to the church at Philippi about his desire to reach toward the perfection of Christ, challenging us to follow his example, saying, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me …we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”

At the same time, he cautions us and them with this alternate reality- “…there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ…headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.” (Philippians 3:12, 18-20 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/php.3.12,18-20.nlt)

“Their God is their appetite.” That fateful Saturday, Jake was the poster puppy for this phrase! Typically, when left alone, he grows anxious and nervously nibbles whatever is closest to him. On this day, his appetite was whetted by the aroma of freshly baked goodies and his desire overpowered his reason, not unlike Adam and Eve in the garden. (Genesis 3:6) Jake’s stomach dictated his actions. He cared not a whit for Caroline’s feelings, nor was he aware of them. We expect this from a pet, but what of the people in our lives? What about us? How’s your reach?

“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24 NLT https://www.bible.com/116/1co.10.23-24.nlt)

“…not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:4)

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)

So what does having a Jesus mindset look like exactly?

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV https://www.bible.com/111/php.14-16.niv)

I particularly appreciate the New Schofield Study Bible translation which reads, “as you hold out the word of life.” This dual perspective pictures perfectly the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit enabling me to reach beyond myself, to “live as Christ.” By holding firmly to the word of life, I am able to hold out- to offer up- this life giving Word as well!

Left on my own, I have no good thing to offer. My appetites are warped by my sin nature, but thank God, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NLT https://www.bible.com/116/gal.2.20.nlt)

As I reach for the living Word daily, my appetite is redeemed, or as the sweet singer of Israel acknowledges, when I “take delight in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart.” (Psalms 37:4) As I steep my heart and mind in His Word, I not only begin to have something worth sharing, but my desire to reach out grows!

“God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. Our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:6-7, 18-20, 25, 27 NLT https://www.bible.com/116/1co.12.6-7,18-20,25,27.nlt)

So how’s your reach?