The last couple weeks I have had an old thought renewed afresh in my mind. I want my life to really make a difference. I don’t just want to live willy nilly. And specifically I want other people to know Christ, because of my witness in their lives. Because really, what greater thing could my redeemed life accomplish? Christ died for me. And He has left me here to live for Him and tell others about Him. The least I could do for Him, with all He has done for me, is do what He has left me here to do. The best I could do for myself is live with purpose, and especially His purpose for me, because I believe that will result in the greatest joy.
A second part to that is, I’m tired of not just doing the stuff that I say I want to be about doing. I feel pathetic when I don’t just do them. And there is no reason not to, besides me being able, I have the all powerful God living inside me to enable me to do the good things He desires me to do. Here is a sample of the thing I’m tired of:
- Missing my scheduled time in the morning with the Lord because I get busy
- Missing an opportunity to interact with my son because I’m sitting in front of the TV at night
These are not just “disciplines” I need to get better at. “Disciplines” sound like things I am supposed to do. When really, these are things that I want to do. These are things I enjoy when I actually do them. In the moment of decision I just need to remind myself that my days always go better when I have spent time with the Lord. Almost without fail, when I start my day with time with the Lord, I have a good day, even if tough stuff happens during that day. When I don’t spend time with the Lord, but I got a lot done, I don’t always feel good about that day. Because, getting stuff done is not the measure of a good day. Having related to my God and having walked in the power of His Spirit throughout a day is what makes a day good. And for me that starts with time alone in the morning with Him.
I love spending time with my son. I just need to remind myself that, when it’s all said and done, I get more satisfaction out of time with my son than from TV. Flopping in front of the TV just seems easier at the moment of decision. But I’m tired of choosing the easy thing. That’s not how a strong person, the kind of person I want to be, lives.
So, I have already begun making changes. I have been more successful in some of my efforts, just because I changed my mind about them. And I have seen the Lord working in me to make the right choices and give me strength, because the things I desire to do are honoring to Him.
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