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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!

Why do we chose to take the safe and familiar paths when God is calling us to blaze new trails; sharing His love with those around us?  I had an incredible opportunity to meet someone new – perhaps someone who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I had the opportunity to carry on a fifteen minute conversation with a complete stranger, a potential open door for the gospel, and I blew it.  Instead I took the easy route and called my buddy.

Granted, my co-worker and I had a wonderful conversation as we traveled to my home.  We encouraged one another as we so often do; however, once again I missed the opportunity to invest the word of God and the life of Christ into someone searching for something more.

Please, don’t do what I did this morning.  The time is short; our lives are just a vapor, and we need to take every opportunity to reach out to this lost and broken world.  We must let our light shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.  They will never see our light if we hide it from them – if we fail to develop relationships with them – if we fail to take the shuttle.

What is a rival?  Websters defines a rival as:  “a person who is competing for the same object or goal as another, or who tries to equal or outdo another; competitor”.  Another definition describes a rival as:  “a person or thing that is in a position to dispute another’s preeminence or superiority”.  How do we define our rivals?  The Bible tells us plainly that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.  Do we underestimate the power of our rivalry?

It is so easy to become lulled to sleep in the comfort and complacency of modern convenience.  To become apathetic about the world that surrounds, yet never seems to touch, our isolated lives.  To daily begin the game without truly understanding the strength of our enemy.

I believe that it is time to wake up!  It is time to understand that we face a real foe; he is likened to a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”, and is our greatest rival.  He is competing to be the god of our lives and to have preeminence over this world.  We must never make the mistake of underestimating exactly how powerful, cleaver, and subtle he is.  We must live obedient lives with the discernment and wisdom that only comes from God, escaping the snares of our adversary the devil.  Then, and only then will we find victory in this life!

Racquetball is a complex game that requires a lot of skill and strategy.  There is nothing more frustrating than knowing what it is that you must do, and then not be able to physically carry it out.  Remembering the right shots and strategy to take is a great advantage – that is of course if your body actually cooperates.  It is amazing how quickly our abilities fade when they are not in use.

I can’t help but think of how this applies to our daily walk with Christ.  Many of us understand what God desires us to do.  Perhaps at one point and time in our lives we may have even been somewhat successful; accomplishing God’s desires.  However, just like in racquetball, a lack of practice will always lead to a loss of ability.

So what is the solution?  We will only sharpen and develop our performance when we actually do what we know God wants us to do.  Through practice and exercise, we can get back on track – in both racquetball and how we live our lives daily in Christ.  Are you feeling a little rusty today?  Call out to God and ask Him to change you – to give you the desire and ability to be the person He wants you to be!