My pastor gave me a profound lesson recently. I find it helpful to have Rich Johnston (pastor, Second RPC in Indianapolis, Ind.) review my Bible study notes and keep me accountable for commitments I make to the Lord. He’s ahead of me in the ages of our children, so he has helped me over the years to see the coming challenges and opportunities. One useful prophecy he shared was that our children would not be in diapers forever. We were in the midst of raising six children, and it was a helpful prophecy because I couldn’t see any light at the end of that tunnel.

The other day he was noting how we tend to find some identity and sense of success or significance in what he called “externals.” These are not bad things at all and can include real blessings, useful to Christ’s kingdom: physical fitness; Bible study and other spiritual disciplines; a career that provides for a family and offers ways to express our faith; titles, degrees and credentials; the study of ...