Would you like to improve the quality of your life? If so, I think I can help. Simplify. Instead of assuming that life will be better if I can just add one more activity to it,or if I can achieve another rung in the corporate ladde, or by adding another to do to my to do list, or havinga host of New Year resolutions that have all ready been broken, think of the word "one".
Alot has been said over the years about having a personal mission statement and vision to guide your life. I have given hours and hours conversing with God about this. But today I thought that instead of trying to craft a catchy statement to guide my life that I should find a single word that I will rally around for the year. A one word purpose statement or mission. A sense of peace came over me as I thought about this.
I don't have my "one" word yet, but I have it narrowed down. The word "faithful" comes to mind. I want to be faithful to God, to my wife and children, and to my calling as a pastor.
The word "redemption" has been on my mind too. Sometime ago God spoke to me saying "that life is all about redemption". I want to remember that God has redeemed me. I want to redeem relationships. I want to let others knows of God's desire to redeem their lives.
"Fruitful" is another word. I want my relationships with my wife and kids to produce fruit. I want my work and ministry to produce fruit in the lives of others. I want to be fruitful when it comes it sharing the good news associated with Jesus the Christ.
And of course there is the word "love." Jesus said there is nothing more important this side of heaven than love.
I felt a heavy load lift from my shoulders as I began to think of a one word mission statement for my life. And I suspect that could happen for you too.
What might be a word that you would want to build your life around this year? Take some time to think about it, talk about it with your friends and most importantly with the God of the universe who desires to converse with you.
I'd love to hear what some of your words are. If you feel comfortable send them on to me via the comment box or email me and maybe I'll include them in my post.
Alot has been said over the years about having a personal mission statement and vision to guide your life. I have given hours and hours conversing with God about this. But today I thought that instead of trying to craft a catchy statement to guide my life that I should find a single word that I will rally around for the year. A one word purpose statement or mission. A sense of peace came over me as I thought about this.
I don't have my "one" word yet, but I have it narrowed down. The word "faithful" comes to mind. I want to be faithful to God, to my wife and children, and to my calling as a pastor.
The word "redemption" has been on my mind too. Sometime ago God spoke to me saying "that life is all about redemption". I want to remember that God has redeemed me. I want to redeem relationships. I want to let others knows of God's desire to redeem their lives.
"Fruitful" is another word. I want my relationships with my wife and kids to produce fruit. I want my work and ministry to produce fruit in the lives of others. I want to be fruitful when it comes it sharing the good news associated with Jesus the Christ.
And of course there is the word "love." Jesus said there is nothing more important this side of heaven than love.
I felt a heavy load lift from my shoulders as I began to think of a one word mission statement for my life. And I suspect that could happen for you too.
What might be a word that you would want to build your life around this year? Take some time to think about it, talk about it with your friends and most importantly with the God of the universe who desires to converse with you.
I'd love to hear what some of your words are. If you feel comfortable send them on to me via the comment box or email me and maybe I'll include them in my post.
Of all the "words", Paul suggests the greatest to be "love", as you pointed out. Indeed, all the other words seem to fall flat if they are removed from that simple, yet all-encompassing, word. If we could do a better job of loving, we might actually grow to be the Church Christ envisioned.
Peace, brother. Well said.
Posted by: Michael P. Daniel | January 22, 2010 at 09:54 AM
Excuse me ... "All-encompassing CONTEXT"
Posted by: Michael P. Daniel | January 22, 2010 at 09:55 AM