I’m very reflective this time of year…
As we head into a New Year, I considering if my life is achieving the things of greatest value…
One way I’m doing that is asking myself some self-evaluation questions…
For example…
Am I more concerned about:
- My clothes or my character?
- What others think of me or what God thinks of me?
- My success or my influence?
- Having fun or making a difference?
- Making a quick and easy return or a creating a long term investment?
- Gaining instant pleasure or producing eternal rewards?
- My personal safety or my obedience to God’s will?
- Being loved or loving well?
- My happiness or enhancing the happiness of others?
- The worries I can manufacture or having a faith in One I can’t control?
- My popularity with the rich and famous or a relationship with my Creator?
- My bank account or making a Kingdom impact with what God has given me?
Sometimes it is not a matter of good or bad, but of good or best…
In 2011…let’s be concerned about things of greater value…
What else could you add to my list of questions?
Please pray for me. I want to make this year completely about God. I had to make my kids dad move out today after 14 yrs together because I know that what God wants. This is very difficult and I am trying to have faith but this is so scarey and I dont know how I am going to do this. My boys dad does believe in God, or says he does but he has addictions and curses and brings things into my house that are bringing us down. I have tried to get him to give his life to God but he enjoys his sin more. I even told him I would marry him if he would just make an effort like read scripture, I told him grace comes by faith and faith by hearing and hearing of the word. He is not interested and I cant continue like this. I have to do this. Please pray for me, I need strength so badly right now to do what is right for God and for my children.
Absolutely. What a hard prayer…God will protect you.
Thanks! I'm considering an extended fast this year too! Happy New Year to you also.
Love the list Ron!
Getting fat and sassy on the pew or using what God has given us to use.
That's a good add! Thanks
Ron,
Thanks for reminding us of what is important.
For me the comment "My happiness or enhancing the happiness of others?" is what slapped me in the face. As a pastor I sometimes forget I am called to help others find delight in their life and in the Lord. This is something I will add to the 21 day Daniel Fast I will be doing with my church in the new year.
Happy New Year!
TV is a great application of this… It may not be that a show is necessarily bad, but that there are much better choices to be made when considering stewardship of the God-given resource of time! For our family, we decided to get rid of the TV altogether after reading an account of an Amish tour guide who was asked what makes the Amish Amish. He asked how many of the tourists would agree their homes would be better off without TV. All hands raised. He then asked how many of the tourists would then go home and get rid of their TV sets. No one raised a hand.
Good illustration. How long have you gone without TV? Is there anything you miss about it?