Day 116 "Take Courage In The Things That Are Eternal"

Why is it that some people seem to thrive by stepping out into new challenges, venturing forth into the unknown, whereas others of us would prefer to stay back in the shadows of what is known and familiar, where we feel comfortable and safe? Some would argue the point that we are are all different from one another and have different tolerances for the level of risk that we are willing to take, especially when risk of potential loss enters the equation. Some of us, perhaps simply have stronger desires to achieve something, acquire something, or prove something than others do. I am grateful for the explorers, the adventurers who pushed the limits and sailed passed what others thought was an edge of the ocean where one would sail over the edge if gotten to close to it, for those who ventured into space and landed on the moon, for those who discovered and explored what seemed to be the New World in the Americas on the other side of the ocean, for those who wanted to see what lurked at the bottom of our oceans, for those who made things possible that once where considered impossible. Have you ever taken a moment to consider that everything that your eyes can behold that is non-natural was once someone's idea?

Yes, I believe that we are all different from one another. (It's a great thing that we aren't all Mark Hogan's!) We each have different talents and different ambitions, different interests and different fears, we come from different backgrounds and look different from one another. But setting aside all of our differences, there is one thing that we have all have in common: we each have a birthday, a time when we entered into this world, and a time at which we will leave it. Everything else in-between the two is what what we call "life." So, here's the question: Given that you have but one life to live, to what will you give your life to? You are unique, different than anyone else. Therefore, your contribution to the world, whatever it is, no matter how large or small, is valuable and important. Your life means something!

With that in mind, may you be encouraged and find the strength to find your unique talents and abilities and put them to good use. Time is of the essence. To help, may I suggest to you something to consider? You can look at life from one of two scenarios: one which is temporary; one which is eternal. If you live your life completely for the temporary, there is a good chance you may miss out on making any impact eternally in the things that you do. Considering that life is temporary, what things in life really matter in the long run? On the other hand, you can lose yourself to the world by being so overly focused on the things of eternal nature that you are no longer any earthly good. God's word gives us a healthy balance, a way to live both world's simultaneously.

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." 1 John 3:23

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6

"be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." Philippians 2:2-4

Jesus laid down his life willingly upon the cross to secure our relationship and future with God. He also demonstrated and modeled a lifestyle for us to follow: to love our fellow man as we travel through this life. Other than those two factors, I believe God has given us freedom to explore what we do with our lives. For in such freedom, I believe God experiences joy in watching how his children, his creations, live out their lives and the choices they make given the free will and freedom that they have been given.

Unfortunately, we live in a world surrounded by injustices and unfairness which doesn't make living this life very easy at times, does it? But we can still live by a lighted pathway which challenges us to act out of love in everything that we do, in every moment that we live, knowing that Jesus assured us that God's kingdom is a reality and it awaits us no matter what happens to us in this lifetime.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

So given that Jesus assures us of our spiritual future, take heart and be encouraged in all that you do in this lifetime. One of our greatest inhibitors to discovering our real potential is bound by our fears. And, the reality of it is, much of our fears stem out of our own insecurities and self-centered nature. We spend so much time in our lives trying to prove to ourselves that we have value and that our lives have meaning that little time if left pursuing who we can become and what we can contribute to this world. You, my friend, are already loved unconditionally and just as you are by God. I encourage you to get to know this love in a real way for your own life. If you don't know how much God loves you, then may I spur you on to discover this love by reading the Bible for yourself. The Apostle Paul knew to well what understanding this love would do for our lives:

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

So, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. Take courage in the things that our eternal and live out your life here in love. In such pursuit, may you venture forth from your beach head, out from underneath the shadows of fear and its rocky cliffs, to discover a whole new world awaiting you out upon the open seas called life.

Bon voyage to you and joyous sailing!!!!!

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Let Jesus be the captain and navigator of your ship. And when you do, get ready for a journey that you never thought possible.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:13

In his love, see you here tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)