Living a Worthwhile Life

If you were asked to choose what matters most in making life worthwhile, what would you say? Through the ages, philosophers have believed that all of life is a search for meaning and purpose. Jesus said, "I am come that you may have life in all its fullness," which implies he gives meaning and purpose for every aspect of life.

Making the most of life includes living under the umbrella of the provisions Jesus promised for those who believe and trust in him. Faith in Christ builds a bridge to the fullness of life, the knowledge that nothing can separate you from his love, which includes forgiveness and freedom from the penalties of guilt and shame.

The fullness Jesus provides includes an optimistic attitude about the purpose God designed for you that has eternal value. By God’s grace and mercy, you are able to lay up treasures in heaven that are incorruptible and can never be lost. So give thanks to God for his goodness and kindness.      

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Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.

~Matthew 6:19-20 Good News Bible

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Fight or Flight OR a Better Choice

Conflict demands a response, and the most common reaction is to fight. Another is to take flight and run away. Fighting is characterized by hot verbal exchanges, and in a marriage relationship to blame each other for every bad experience since taking the marriage vows. Whatever form fighting embraces, rarely does conflict reach resolution within these conditions.

Taking flight to manage conflict can be observed in several distinct forms. Literally running away to avoid angry confrontations is not uncommon for those who hate fighting. The shy, reserved personality type who feels unsafe and threatened by angry outbursts may immediately withdraw emotionally or physically to avoid conflict.

Perpetual conflict is an indicator of dysfunctional relationships and a sure endangerment to the stability of a marriage or friendship. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world so we could live life to the fullest, and that doesn’t mean a life full of conflict, but rather one full of peace and contentment. It is absolutely possible to choose these feelings rather than conflict.  

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A thief does not come for any purpose but to steal and kill and destroy; I have come for people to have life and have it till it overflows.

~John 10:10 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:7 Good News Bible

Faith's Priority ~ 2020 Vision of Sharing Your Faith

What are your main priorities for this New Year? This can be a year of significant changes, so it can be a time of uncertainty for the nation. As believers in Christ Jesus, what are your hopes for yourself, your family and God’s family? Millions of people place their hopes in a political party and a presidential candidate.

Have you asked yourself, “What about faith’s priorities? What is God’s purpose and plan for America and all its people for this year?” Most of us have expectations and hopes that attempt to cancel out our fears and anxieties. We may be tempted to take up a banner against those who are different.

 

Especially in times of uncertainty, the banner of Jesus Christ encourages us to hold to God’s unchanging hand for faith and his guidance. God sent Jesus to seek and to save those who are lost, so faith’s priority could be for you to share your faith in Christ Jesus with others. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.” What a great expectation!  

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God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.

~2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Contemporary English Version

Our children too shall serve him, for they shall hear from us about the wonders of the Lord; generations yet unborn shall hear of all the miracles he did for us.

~Psalm 22:30-31 The Living Bible

So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.

~Hebrews 12:1-2 Good News Bible

Values: Boundary Markers for Living - Part 3

The idea that God is interested in you may be difficult to believe and accept. He not only has an interest in his creation, but he pursues you for his purpose so your days on the earth will be worthwhile. What does he ask in return? To love him with all your heart, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

This command is not easy because it requires identifying and analyzing your values. Someone told me her priorities were her career first, then family, her social life, and finally God. Then she was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Confined to convalescence for an extended time, she was forced to rethink her purpose and goals for her life.

Identifying and analyzing your values may result in life-changing decisions. That God is interested in you and will pursue you is validated by Jesus' words, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." To accept that God is interested in you may require rearranging your values to include his love and purpose for you.  

Resilience: Standing Firm in Faith - Part 1

Disease and illness are hard to avoid. Striving to live here in the Houston area free of allergies is an example. Medications, a healthy diet, and living responsibly contribute to staying healthy. Resilience, that toughness of personality and spirit, can also limit the impact of an illness. But sometimes a fatal disease can silently creep up on us before we realize something is dreadfully wrong.

There's something unique to be gained for those who face death with faith that God is our eternal destiny. Harvey Gilbert relates how a friend managed the finality of death: "As the illness advanced, the long flight of steps represented a unique awakening. The disease gave death time to live and its victim time to die, and time to discover time, and in the end to discover life."

God sent his Son Jesus into the world to give us light and a life worth living. Discovering a life worth living requires slowing down and giving consideration to God's purpose for giving you life. That discovery is life-changing.

Finding God's Purpose in Difficult Times - Part 3

Surviving or just getting by isn't an acceptable lifestyle for most people. Striving for something better is driven by a need to succeed. Marginal existence is unacceptable because it violates an internal code that says we're capable of reaching higher. Parents want their children to excel, for under-achieving creates sadness and frustration for most parents.

Survival is defined differently by those who comprise each socioeconomic class. Survival can be an issue even for those living in opulence. The 1960's produced a generation of young people who found little meaning in their parents' lifestyle. Survival meant rejecting the status quo as well as the conventionality of their parents.

For survival to have a full, rich meaning, it must include an acceptable purpose for life. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full." Jesus is referring to a rich spiritual life that anchors the heart and soul.  He challenges us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This objective gives survival a new meaning and purpose.  

Productivity vs. Boredom: Sowing and Reaping - Part 3

Popular books have been written about mid-life, that space between thirty-five and fifty-something. One author described this phase of life as an emotional resurgence of adolescence when the need to break away or separate from what is familiar resurfaces. In the worst case everything familiar, including career, family, and God, becomes the enemy.

What drives this painful life-changer? One explanation is the tendency to become so obsessed with a career or family that little time exists to nurture your-  self or a spouse. In some instances, a restrained loneliness forms that can't be contained beneath a facade of busyness. Feeling empty in spite of all the outer trappings of success has to be a consideration.

What's to be done? Choose to face down the crisis. God will not forsake you even if life seems hopeless. Give Christ Jesus time to heal you, to change your thoughts, and forgive you. Ask God to give you a new vision and purpose for your life. Connections with family and God can be restored. This is a choice you can make.