Isn’t it amazing to think that the year 2015 is over and we are now in
2016? Before we rush through the next year ...ask yourself, "WHAT
WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?" On Jan 1 we all began jotting
down our personal and professional goals. We sat back and took note of
the battles we have fought and perhaps lost on the road to our past goals.
Whether we are stepping on a scale and feeling a little irritated that
all the hard work and all the sacrifice (especially avoiding all those
delicious desserts over the holidays) hasn't paid off, or maybe you even find
yourself questioning your role as a father, mother, husband, wife, or as a
neighbor or co-worker--Have I made a difference in the lives of these people
during the past year?
Now, before you answer that question I want you to consider something -- has Jesus made a difference in your life in 2015?
Yes, I know that many people tend to pursue a life built around self-creating a life that has little impact upon anyone around them and feel perfectly content with living that way, but God actually planned for us, His children, to have and give so much more. Just imagine for a moment what would happen in the world if every follower of the Lord Jesus Christ actually lived out the verses found in the Gospel of Matthew.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the
salt loses its saltiness,
how can it be made salty again? It is no
longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot. “You
are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be
hidden.Neither do people
light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in
the house. In the same way, let your
light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
I personally enjoy
those powerful and thought provoking words. Why? Because they cause
me to stop and wonder if the life I live is kind of bland--you know what I mean
--no flavor, just kind of ordinary. I even found myself asking how many
times did I place the light of Jesus under the bowl of tentativeness, or
possible rejection, or not feeling part of the crowd. So, with all of
that, I ask myself the same question I proposed to you at the beginning --
"WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 2016?"
As we begin this New Year together, let’s consider the
following two items:
First, before you change the world, let
Jesus change your heart. The first and greatest commandment is to "Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37). What a goal for 2016--
it has nothing to do with weight, money, people, or a job; but rather it has
everything to do with you and your relationship with God. I personally
believe that if you will follow this commandment then you will find much
satisfaction in the many other facets of your life.
It
is simply amazing to see how a life with God puts so much of God into your
life!
Second, now that you have a great
foundation loving God, it is time to follow the second greatest commandment--Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39). Basically
love others the way you would want to be loved. So... you were thinking
that everything sounded pretty good up to now.
How can we do it? How can we love people the way God loves them? How can we give ourselves the way God gives? After all the things people have said or done, now we are being asked to love them the way we want to be loved? To treat them in the way we would want to be treated? And God said --Yes! Because I first loved YOU! You, the apple of My eye, your name in My mind and your sins upon My heart. God loves you--He has always loved you and He will forever love you.
How can we do it? How can we love people the way God loves them? How can we give ourselves the way God gives? After all the things people have said or done, now we are being asked to love them the way we want to be loved? To treat them in the way we would want to be treated? And God said --Yes! Because I first loved YOU! You, the apple of My eye, your name in My mind and your sins upon My heart. God loves you--He has always loved you and He will forever love you.
So, what will we do in 2016? What kind of legacy will we leave behind for others to follow? Will our homes, workplaces, churches, schools, or communities be different because of the impact of our life upon them? A new year is here -- it is time to answer the call of God and shout out a resounding -- Yes, Lord! Here I am -- SEND ME / USE ME!
Consider the passage in Matthew the next time you bite into something that tastes so bland or when you walk into your home and struggle finding the light switch because it is so hard walking in the dark. Remember -- Shine -- let YOUR life shine!
SHINE! SHINE!
SHINE JESUS SHINE in US!
No more bowls and pour on the salt!
Less of me More of Him,
Rick
