Hello Friends!
Deep down inside each of us, there is a desire to make a difference – to believe that our existence means something more than fun, comfort, self-indulgence, personal pleasure or financial wealth. So how do we live in such a way that our lives will make a meaningful difference in our world and to the people around us?
Here are some thoughts on this very important subject…
Make a Meaningful Difference!
Undoubtedly, the greatest of all role models was Jesus Christ – God incarnate. Therefore to glean insight into this topic, we should consider how Jesus Christ – a humble Jewish carpenter – made a meaningful difference that continues to impact the world today:
I have
glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to
do – John 17:4
Then I [Jesus] said, “Here I am - it is
written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, O God" – Hebrews
10:7
These verses summarizes Jesus’ focus in life - to do God the Father’s will. God’s will can be understood to mean both the specific actions and choices that God desires as well as the ways that God wants those actions and choices to be executed. There are many aspects of Jesus' life that reveal the will and ways of God.
For example, consider the topics of authority, circumstances, work, money, and priorities.
Authority: It appears to be common among humans to view authority with some disdain. If we are honest, we don't always want to submit to authority and often only do so begrudgingly. Jesus Christ, however, was fully submitted to the will and ways of the Father.
Circumstances: Our control over life’s events is limited; many circumstances are largely beyond our control. When bad circumstances occur, we naturally seek to escape them. But this was not how Jesus Christ lived. He recognized that God is sovereign over all and therefore the Author of circumstances. Jesus Christ did not seek escape from circumstances but sought God's will in all circumstances.
Work: For most of us, work is something we have to do – not something we are privileged to do. For Jesus Christ, work was part of His ministry. He recognized God’s sovereign hand in all His workplace assignments and activities.
Money: The ubiquitous measure of success and significance seems to be money. But to Jesus Christ, money was simply a tool used to obey God – to do God’s will.
Priorities: For most people, the choices of life today reflect personal pleasure and comfort – hedonism. Sacrifice and suffering are not esteemed virtues in our culture. But for Jesus Christ, His personal pleasure and comfort were always subordinated to the will and ways of His Heavenly Father – no matter what it cost Him.
Jesus Christ made a meaningful difference during His life because He viewed everything from God's perspective and lived to do one thing – the will of God according to the ways of God. This is how to live a meaningful life!
Closing Thoughts:
As Christians, we must seek to make a meaningful difference in our world for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to do this Biblically is to live as Jesus Christ did with the singular focus of doing the will of God according to the ways of God.
For Christians to make a meaningful difference in their lives requires dedication to God. To do this well, we must be Christians who wish to live as Jesus Christ did. Some of the key ingredients to living meaningful lives are:
- Submission to authority
- Viewing the perfect sovereignty of God in all circumstances
- Recognizing that work is ministry
- Using money as a tool to obey the will and ways of God
- Making the will and ways of God the priority in all situations
May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect
love, mercy and grace!
Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah
and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!
Blessings!
Shane <><