Times have been looking quite bleak for many people as we enter this new year. Resolutions abound as we reflect on the events of the previous year and what changes we wish to make in 2010. Statistics verify that most resolutions are soon forgotten as we get caught up in the business of life, usually before the end of January. The majority of us don't seem to have much staying-power when it comes to remaining on course. We begin each new year with the best of intentions, but don't have the will, ability or support to follow through.
Let me give you a more positive perspective on your resolutions. First of all, I commend you for having the desire to be a better person in the upcoming year. That shows me that you are not satisfied with the status quo. You see room for improvement and that is always a step in the right direction. This can catapult you beyond desire to definite actions that can lead to awesome blessings in your life. However, making resolutions year after year that repeatedly fall by the wayside can leave even the most positive a little dejected, to say the least. You begin to analyze your life in a negative light, believing that you are just a loser, that you have no hope of becoming the truly great person that you know you could be.
Well, I have good news for you! I don't care who you are; your age, sex, race, occupation, opportunities or past failures, challenges or upbringing. You possess an asset that, when activated, can take your life from ordinary to extraordinary. That asset is YOU! You have, within yourself, the greatest resource at your disposal. You were created in the image of your heavenly Father and that includes His attributes and creativity, as well as access to His wisdom and knowledge. You are capable of far more than you ever dreamed as a God-given right, by virtue of your inheritance. What inheritance, you may ask? Why, the inheritance that Christ gained for us through his death on the cross. When you accept his sacrifice for your sins, you are adopted into the family of God with all of the resulting benefits and rights, (Rom 8:14-17). As a child of God, you have 24/7 access to God's holy spirit (John 16:13), an open prayer line to God's throne (Phil 4:6-7), the ministry of God's holy angels (Heb 2:13-14) and the daily intercession of Jesus Christ, our elder brother and high priest (Heb 7:25). You have the greatest support system imaginable. How can you fail?
There is, however, a key to unlocking your unlimited potential. Luke 10:27 records, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself". Your success in life absolutely depends on this. Matt 7:12 offers the following, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets". If you will honor God in obedience to His word and esteem others better than yourself, placing their best interests above your own, you will unleash the most powerful forces of the universe into your world. It is in the unconditional service to others that you unlock the blessings that are needed in your own life. Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again".
Everyone has something to share with others. I have heard many people comment that they have no gifts, no talents, nothing to offer. Some mistakenly assume that, when the bible speaks of gifts and talents, it is speaking exclusively of ministries such as that of a prophet, pastor or teacher. There are unlimited gifts and talents and everyone has many, if they will open their minds and hearts to releasing them for the wellbeing of others.
Gifts and talents don't all have to do with religious affiliation, or even natural abilities such as athleticism or musical talent, or that of an author or speaker. Everyone can do something and has the ability to turn that something into service to others.
Let me offer an example. You attend religious services each week in worship. Each person in that room has needs or challenges in their lives, as well as opportunity to meet the needs of others. Think about the individuals in just that one congregation, and how you can be of service to any or all of them. Can you cook, sew, babysit, mow yards, provide household maintenance, shop, read, visit, call, pray, encourage? Can your occupational talents be of help to someone? Are you a tax preparer, and accountant, a brick mason, carpenter, electrician, plumber, hair dresser, lawyer, doctor, housewife, teacher? Do you have any money left over each month that could help stock a foodbank? Do you have clothes that don't fit anymore that could be recycled to help the needy? I could go on and on. The point is, there are a myriad of opportunities to be of service to your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even strangers.
You would be amazed at the difference you could make in the lives of others. Not only would you receive the deep satisfaction that comes with serving the needs of others, you would experience the reward of having your own needs met in the process. The more you give, the more you receive. The more you receive, the more you have to give. It is a never-ending circle that results in the satisfying life you always dreamed of.
In conclusion, I would like to share an interesting and enlightening book I just finished reading. I know it will really excite you and motivate you to get out there and find someone to serve. It is titled "The Go-Giver" and can be found on the authors' website www.thegogiver.com. You will come away with a fresh perspective that will spur you on to really becoming your own greatest asset.
email comments or questions to thehiddenmanna@gmail.com
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