Jesus gives us some encouragement on this topic.  In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said:  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all of the labor and stress of life?   There is one who understands and He desires for you to come to Him.  He wants each of us to surrender our lives to Him.  This is typically the exact opposite of what we think to do.  When things are going crazy in our lives, we strive to work harder to gain control.  Working harder isn’t the solution – giving our situation over to an all-powerful God is.  Have you taken His yoke?  Have you learned of Him and are you following the path He desires for you?  If not, you can choose to today.

How many countless hours do we waste on Facebook, mindlessly surfing the web, or playing video games?   These are all inventions created during my lifetime.  So what is the solution?   Should we toss out our televisions, computers, and cell phones?

Or instead, should we wholeheartedly seek to glorify our Creator using modern day tools to maximize our impact in reaching our world for Christ?  We have been called, for such a time as this, to avoid the distractions of our age.  Instead, we must manage and prioritize our time and resources in such a way that we can effectively fulfill His commission for us to:   Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.

With the conveniences of modern technology, we are able to obey this commandment – regardless of the continent we call home.

I just wonder if many of us are chasing the wrong carrot.  Instead of seeking to find “happiness” in this life, shouldn’t we be setting our sites a little higher?   Isn’t happiness just a fleeting emotion that will come and go with the circumstances of this life?   I am happy when my football team wins, unfortunately being a Cleveland Browns fan, that means most Sundays I’m not happy.  Shouldn’t our lives be rooted in things much more significant:  things that will matter for eternity?

I do not believe that God wants us simply to pursue happiness.  The pursuit of happiness was something dreamed up by our countries founding fathers.  Instead, God tells us that the key to being fulfilled in this life rests with us being thankful and content with what we have.  Contentment is not something that comes naturally in our lives. We, by nature, become easily unsatisfied – longing for something more.   However, it is this covetous attitude that steals our joy in this life.   If we could heed the instruction of our good friend Paul and could “learn in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content”, how much happier would we be?  Just a thought.

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Hello all!

The following is an article written by a good (and very bright) friend of mine.  It is packed with great insight.  Thanks for the counsel Jason!

http://www.jasonrink.com/10-things-that-might-be-keeping-you-from-living-your-passion/

I took a trip on Friday with my lead pastor and the man who discipled me, to share the ministry of discipleship with a church in the Kenton Ohio area.  As we were traveling to our appointment, we had many good discussions.  One of the topics mentioned was the concept of giving away the things God has given to us.

Typically in this tangible world, as we give our things away, it leaves less for us.  However, when it comes to the good news of Christ, it is not like this at all.  The Bible tells us that God specifically gives us insight into His word and comforts us in our times of need so that we will share these things with others.  (2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1-4)  Are we sharing what we have been given?  Or are we like the selfish two year old; who, though he has no intention of playing with a certain toy, still refuses to share it with others?

As we give His love and truth away, it will spread just as He intended it to from the beginning.  Let’s give it away!

Do you like what you see?  What do these statements reveal about you?

After you’re done, comment here on what you discovered.

That is not all – when interviewed at the end of the game, after choking down the tears and regaining the ability to speak, here are excerpts taken from what he said:  “I would have given everything I had to be out there with my team.”  “I always give God the glory, I never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life and I know that if nothing else, I am standing on the Rock.”  I must say that I was impressed with his comments at the end of the game and the sportsmanship he demonstrated in congratulating Alabama’s football team twice; especially after the heart-break of being sidelined.

There is just something wrong with a team losing its most valuable player.  McCoy said that he would have given “everything I had to be out there with my team”.  Is this our attitude?  It amazes me at how people can be content merely standing on the sidelines while their team, in need of help, is desperately trying to make a fourth quarter come back.  I am baffled by the number of people who can rationalize their need to be on the sideline, always finding a reason for their actions.

It is time to get in the game!  The time is short and the clock is ticking!  To take a page out of Paul’s playbook:  “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13-14)  Praise God, His mercies are new every morning – we can forget our failures and defeats last season.  Today is a new day – another fresh opportunity to follow our Coach (the Lord Jesus Christ) and, in His strength, bring home a win!

Though I am not a fan of new year’s resolutions, I am a huge advocate of establishing annual goals.  Ever since my two boys were 5 and 3 we have taken time out on January 1st to talk about the previous year.   We discuss what we liked and what we disliked.  We review the previous years goals (we always write them down at this “meeting” and then check them off throughout the year as we accomplish them); and we set goals for the new year.  My boys love this time with their Dad, but most of all enjoy the pancakes and hot chocolate.

How about you?  Did you have goals for 2009?  Did you accomplish them?  What about 2010?  Life goes by so quickly; it is so easy to get caught up in just existing rather than purposefully accomplishing the things that matter most.  I would like to encourage you today – set some realistic, yet significant goals for this year.  Write them down, review them throughout the year, and then go out to breakfast with someone to talk about it January 1, 2011.  You may be surprised by how much God can do through you when you live a life of purpose!