Dec 08 2007
A Simpler Life
As we enter the Christmas season, I thought this teaching from Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” would be helpful and encouraging. – jw
“Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT)
At Christmas time, we often feel like we have to get it all done, and then we crash and burn when we can’t do it all. If you want to simplify this season, you need to understand that it’s all about making choices – and then sticking to those choices, no matter how tempting it is to add more to your holiday “to do” list.
It’s easy to forget this, but it’s true: You’re the only one who must assume responsibility for your time, and you’re the only one who can clarify what’s really important to you. The choices you make control your calendar and, as a result, your lifestyle. Your choices are far more powerful than your circumstances, and you have the power to simplify your life by making purpose-full choices.
The Bible teaches, “We are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT) That’s why it’s so important to discover why God placed you on this planet: What is your purpose for being here?
In the long run, the donation of your life will count far more than the duration. In other words, it’s not how long you live – or even how much you cram into the length of your life – it’s about how you live, according to God’s purpose for you.
What now?
· Let your purpose guide what you do this Christmas season. As you serve, serve where you know God intends for you to serve. Don’t just volunteer for anything or everything. As you pray about it, you may sense God is prompting you to start a “not to do” list!
· You have just enough time to do God’s will this season. You’ve been given just enough time to fulfill his purpose over the next 30 days. When you try to do more than God planned for you to do, it’s only natural that you’ll stress over your schedule.
· Does your list include rest? God doesn’t want you to burn out; in fact, he may want you to specifically add “rest” to your to-do list because he knows you’re trying to overdo it. Does your list include having fun this season as you express gratitude to God the gift of his Son?
Good Day,
This is so relevant to what I am now experiencing in my life. I recently ask myself what is my purpose - and I had no Idea….. ?
I am still stumped on that thought… I am glad that I have a job, but it isn’t what I want to do (stressful/tiring & is making me ill.) - I love the Lord, but why does he need me. It is much easier for me to comfort some one else, but I have no rhyme or reason for my state of being.
If some one came to me with this: “I would tell them that we are all here to fulfill some dynamic purpose of God’s will, that they have not received your full potential of what God has in store for them, but they must be willing to grow/ mature to understand how and what that gift is, because God only make masterpieces. We are divine each having our own mind, shape, complexion, and views on the world- if that’s not a masterpiece then what is? Why is it so easy to voice compassion to someone else to not to ones self?”
We must learn and realize that we are far too difficult on ourselves – we need to love that we are what God has created- for ex: how can we love a Picasso-painting a mild material, but not love our selves. Yes the painting maybe a masterpiece but so are we. Can the painting function how we function all of the organs, veins, & muscles etc, which keeps us moving, growing, learning, loving, and crying- No so again I ask what is a masterpiece if we are not????
Peace & Blessings
Lureka Williams