Everyone's life is driven by something. I, for one, am often driven by fear. Fear of failure Fear as a result of unrealistic expectations and trying to maintain the status quo. I often feel discouraged and hopeless, stressed and frustrated when I fall short of my own expectation. Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God has plans for us. He promised. It says so in the Bible. So there's nothing to be afraid of right? Yet, many times I feel like it's so hard to grasp that in the midst of all my doings. Why?
Why is it so hard to trust sometimes? Is it because I can't see Him? Is it because I can't feel Him? Is it because I can't hear Him? Every time I look at myself I see someone who is so insignificant, so unworthy, so undeserving, so small, so weak and wonder how God can love me so much. How is it that God can love me for everything (good and bad) I've done, yet it's so hard for me to love my brothers and sisters? How is it that God can give me so much - more than I ever needed, yet I still question Him and doubt Him? Is it because of my pride, my self-centeredness? What is it?
Why is it that I feel so unsatisfied sometimes? "I wish I can be like...," "I wish I was as smart as...," I wish I had...," ... etc. Do I not understand that God shaped each one of us differently; with different talents and abilities? "You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb." All of our abilities come from God; I just need to learn to accept them. God created each one of us for a reason, for a purpose. We were made and determined by God for His purpose, so we shouldn't reject it. Part of accepting who we are is recognizing our limitations. C.S. Lewis once said, "Failures are finger post to success." Nobody is good at everything, and no one is called to be everything. If we don't utilize the abilities and skills given to us by God, we will lose it. Just like if we don't exercise our muscles, they weaken and atrophy.
Without a purpose, we have no foundation in which we base decisions, allocate our time, and use our resources. It's impossible to do everything we want to do, but we have just enough time to do God's will. "Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope." - Nick Vujicic
"A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life."
Therefore, we shall focus our action in pleasing God, not men. Knowing that we've fulfilled our expectations (getting straight A's, getting into a dream college, dream job, etc) and accomplished our goals (having a wonderful career, earning a six-figure salary, etc) are all excellent achievements. However, what's even better is living for God's glory. That's the greatest accomplishment we can accomplish with our lives.
"In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." -Ephesians 1:11
Let's be honest and ask ourselves, "Will I live my own goals, comfort, pleasure, or will I live the rest of my life for God's glory, knowing that He has promised eternal rewards?" 1 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."
"Living to create a legacy is a short-sighted goal. A wiser use of time is to build an eternal legacy."
It's all for You, Lord.
It's all for Your glory.
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