What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?1
Essential is an adjective and is defined as absolutely necessary; indispensable: Discipline is essential in an army.2
We need to be reminded of what is important3 and not be impulsively and constantly swayed by the urgent. First things first! So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.4 The bible teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.5 It likewise stresses the most important is to understand that there is one God and that we are to love him with all our soul, heart, mind, and strength6—with emphasis on the mind! Naturally, how can we claim to love God whom we don’t even know? It is presumptuous to say that we do without even intentionally setting time to read his Scripture. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.7 Yes, thus the essence of spiritual disciplines—word, prayer, fellowship.
Let us dwell on 3 important thoughts: Identity, Care, Destiny.
One, Identity—my son. If you are in Christ, you are not any ordinary mortal. You are chosen, called, and redeemed. You are adopted as son; thus, set apart to do good works for his glory.8
Two, Care—son of my womb. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.9 For nine months your mother carried you; as an infant she nurtured and cherished you until you matured. Your father and mother protected you, provided your needs, taught you skills that you could be the best that you were meant to be for God’s glory.
Three, Destiny—son of my vows. Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.10 You are unique in all ways to fulfill a specific purpose; e.g. a particular part of the body that serves a function. God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will.11
In Christ the life you live is no longer yours, for you were bought with a price12—your sins nailed to the cross and his righteousness imputed on you. You joined him in death and have risen a new creation.13
Notes
1. Proverbs 31:2
2. Dictionary.com
3. 2 Peter 1:12-13
4. Psalm 90:12
5. Matthew 6:33
6. Mark 12:29-30
7. John 4:24
8. Ephesians 1:3-14
9. Psalm 139:13-14a
10. Isaiah 43:1
11. Ephesians 1:3-5
12. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
13. 2 Corinthians 5:17
