It's Time To Take Your Pulse
If you could accomplish one “great” thing for the Kingdom of God, what would it be?
If you could be known for a singular yet stellar accomplishment, what would it be?
If you could leave a lasting legacy, what would it be?
The truth is this … you do, indeed, have this one-of-a-kind opportunity!
You, as a package of frail humanity, have the opportunity to do something so miraculous and so extraordinary with your life that heaven will stand to its feet and roar in approval!
You, as a mere parcel of weaknesses and doubts, of strengths and quirks, of talents and imperfections, have been given the grand probability of making a difference at your moment in recorded history.
We all have a calling upon our lives that is beyond anything we could ever dream or imagine.
We all have been made by the Creator of the universe on purpose … with purpose … and for purpose!
You have not been left out of this remarkable plan! Your life matters … your heart matters … you time matters … your choices matter … YOU matter!
I believe that it is vitally important every so often to assess the “pulse” of our passions in life. In assessing your pulse, let me ask you some thought-provoking questions today -
What is it that causes you to get out of bed in the morning?
What is your last thought at night as you are drifting off to sleep?
Have you determined to make your minutes matter for eternity?
There is a scripture, nestled into the pages of the Book of Acts that has totally undone me for the past few years. I discovered this powerful verse when I was in a wretched battle with cancer. I don’t know what battle you are in today … but I have a feeling that you need to be introduced to this verse!
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay.” – Acts 13:36
God has a purpose for you in your own generation, just like He did for David!
God has something for you to accomplish that is not on anyone else’s “To-Do” list!
Knowing that God has a purpose for an ordinary life and knowing that our days are indeed numbered, how do we discover the purpose for which we have been created?
Do you, like me, long to live in that sweet spot of God’s purpose for life? However, often it seems that “purpose” plays a perpetual game of hide and seek with me!
This is what do I know even when “purpose” is nowhere to be found … God has a plan for my life that surpasses my wildest dreams! Of that one thing I am sure! Of that I am convinced!
And so – I will spend all of my days serving Him, loving Him, enjoying Him and trying to match His heart of purpose.
I won’t give in … I won’t give up … I will only give all I have for His call on my life!
You know, I have been thinking lately how I raised my children to dream big dreams and to climb high mountains. I taught them that they were pre-wired to live an unprecedented life. And all of that is true, isn’t it?
But what if I had taught my children how to be servants instead? What if I had taught them, by word and by example, that in order to live a truly great life you must discover the joy of serving others?!
“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
What if, rather than challenging my children to earn degrees, to hit home runs, to write best-selling books, or to compose great pieces of music, I had simply taught them the uncommon value of humble servanthood?
You see … perhaps we have it all wrong. Maybe those of us who live in the Western world in the first part of the 21st. Century have been hoodwinked and lied to by our culture.
Our culture places great value on entertainment, on championship rings and on political prowess. Our culture esteems business acumen, notoriety and Ivy League degrees.
Now, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with Grammy Awards, college scholarships or running for political office. But it is not any of those things that has the power to make a person “great” in his or her heart.
Earthly accomplishments are not the stuff of which a great life is made.
A great life is always built upon the foundation of servanthood. Always.
The purpose that God has for you in your own generation is to serve those who are in need … to love those who are difficult … and to be patient with those who are prickly.
The purpose that God has for you in your own generation is to call your mother or grandmother … to listen to your children’s jokes … and to say an encouraging word to your pastor.
The purpose that God has for you in your own generation is to go about doing good just like Jesus did!
“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good …” – Acts 10:38
If “doing good” was “good” enough for Jesus … then it is good enough for you and it is good enough for me!
So, today, my dear friend, don’t get lost in the quagmire of success, of accomplishment or of notoriety … simply find someone who needs a helping hand and then offer it.
You will discover your great purpose when you determine that Jesus has called you to be just like Him … and He turned His 33 years of earthly living into a grand-slam demonstration of the goodness and power of God!
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!
