With? For? Why not both?

"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing:  To live with Him in His house my whole life long.  I'll contemplate His beauty; I'll study at His feet."  Psalm 27:4 (The Message)

The scripture for today that went along with my devotional passage was Psalm 27:4 written above.  I started thinking about the section of the verse that said "to live with Him in His house".  Don't we all want that?  To know that after we leave this life, we have a glorious one with Jesus forever?  So, we want to live WITH Jesus forever, but what about our time here on earth?  Do we want to live FOR Him while we are here?  The main idea of the lesson this morning was depending on God and realizing that our well-being and security lie with Him not in the things of this world.  It was trying to get me to see that living FOR Jesus is what I should be striving for each and every day.  Do I?  Do you?  

If you have been reading this blog, you have heard me say that my form of worship is linked closely to singing.  (You also know that I can't sing, but I do love music--LOVE it.)  So, naturally while I was reflecting on Psalm 27: 4 and asking myself the hard questions, the song "Living for Jesus" started "playing" in my head.  While I can't sing worth a lick, I do manage to pluck out a few songs on the "plano" (as Nick calls it).  The words to that particular song just seem to be a good match for today's scripture and the devotion's big idea.  I've attached the words to the song below in case you haven't heard it.

Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

• O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
  I give myself to Thee,
  For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
  Didst give Thyself for me;
  I own no other Master,
  My heart shall be Thy throne,
  My life I give, henceforth to live,
  O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

The Compilers prefer that the New Testament word, “redemption,” be used and sung instead of “atonement.”

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/456#ixzz2jy5NjVfk

So, while I want to live WITH Jesus, am I living FOR Him now?  I started asking myself "what does it really mean for me to be sold out for Jesus?"  What things am I putting before Him?  What is above Him on my "to do list" or my "needs" list?  Am I thinking about what living FOR Him might really mean?  I'm not really big on hardship and uncertainty, and Jesus tells us we will have those kind of times.  But, here again, I can learn from Paul.  In this verse {¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9: 15-16)}, Jesus says He is going to SHOW Paul what he will have to endure before Paul even begins his work for Jesus.  Paul knew the cost up front.  Would it behoove me to just get beyond what the cost "may be" for I really know not?  Wouldn't it be so much better if I followed Paul's lead and just said "whatever my lot" (you know the song) I realize I have been chosen for a unique purpose in God's plan?  And God's plans and purposes haven't changed.  My faithfulness is not judged against my friends' callings or my neighbors' callings, but against my own calling.  Am I going to trust Christ and live FOR Him now no matter the cost?  Yes, I want to be WITH Him, so will I live FOR Him?  Am I willing to do BOTH?  Are you?