Originally published Saturday, 29 March 2014.
You know what I think we all want in this life?
Like regardless of where you come from, what your background is, what you’ve been through, what your career is, how much money you make, what your personality is—all of that is irrelevant.
I think we all have a deep desire to do something great with our lives.
Is that true for you? I would argue it is.
Are the ways that we all affect and influence this world the same?
Of course not!
Because we all have different gifts, different personalities, unique skill-sets and undoubtedly each heart is wired in its own way, our legacies will all be different.
I was thinking last night about the insane creativity of our God; like the fact that He made us ALL unique, formed in His image, with beating hearts that strive to chase after different dreams and with all different sized and color eyes that see the world in completely different perspectives!
That alone is just like, COME ON JESUS, You are so good!!!
And then it got me thinking…but how are we similar?
What do we all crave? Strive for? Hope for?
To be loved, yes. Even those that seem to run from relationships of any sort or are allergic to affection have a deep innate desire to be loved.
What else?
I believe we all hope to do something big with our lives.
To leave a legacy.
To be remembered for good things.
To have made a difference.
I know it’s cliché but I mean- ask yourself- do you want that?
If you think about it, why do we attend college or graduate programs?
Why do we take the time to serve at church or run a 5K to benefit a cancer organization?
Or invest in our co-workers, friends, children and even strangers?
Because we deeply desire to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
To not spend our life and our time aimlessly with no goal in sight and no person in mind but ourselves.
They say that what you fear the most stems from what you desire the most.
My biggest fear is going through the motions, living my life in way that only glorifies myself and getting to age 50 and looking back thinking, “Wow. What have I contributed to this world and those around me?”
Therefore, one of my greatest desires is to make a difference.
To serve seflessly.
As I survey my own heart, I know that my claimed intention is to “glorify Jesus” but often times, I want my name to be remembered, my service to be recognized—I want my pride fed.
But the reality is, the only way I can make a difference in this temporary world is by lifting up and glorifying the eternal Savior.
My trophy shelf does not get transported to Heaven or add jewels to my crown.
My reputations eventually fades too.
But My Jesus?
He is the Alpha and the Omega and when I point to Him, I invest in a Kingdom that will never end.
Let me do a quick illustration for you:
Say you have two jars that you are collecting money in.
One will last for five years and then deplete itself and be destroyed.
The other will multiply and last FOREVER!
Which one do you place your treasures in?
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all could do a better job of starving our pride and feeding our faith.
Considering the fact that we can do nothing memorable without Him, we have no reason to pat our own selves on the back.
I am not sure what your dreams are specifically.
Maybe you want to travel the world and help different cultures.
Maybe you want to become a doctor and lend a hand to the sick and less fortunate.
Maybe you want to design buildings and structures that make people excited to visit them!
Maybe you want to write and sing music that makes people feel emotions they didn’t even know they had inside.
Maybe you want to have three kids and raise them to be straight up warriors in this world.
All of our dreams are different because all of our hearts and minds are different.
But one thing is the same about us all.
We can do nothing lasting, memorable, legacy-worthy or AWESOME without Jesus.
And He deserves every single bit of recognition that we receive.
So, praise Him today.
Serve someone in love, specially someone who is tough to serve, and mention Jesus when you do.
Do things in His name and I promise you will not waste your life, not even a second of it.
Love y’all!
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord just as the waters cover the sea.” -Habakkuk 2:14
“For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” -Psalms 96:4-5
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