How to impact the world
May these words of my mouth and this mediation for my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
We make decisions every day – both conscious and unconscious – that determine how our days will go. We choose what to wear, what to eat, and what to say to the people whose lives intersect our own. We all have a choice to be content or to complain, to be friendly or reticent, to work hard, or to muddle through.
We also have a choice concerning how involved we want to be with God. Most people desire Him only in small doses – as in an hour on Sunday mornings.
But what about the other 168 hours remaining in a week? Removing 8 hours a day for sleep – which most of us never get – and roughly 10 hours a day for work – including our daily commute and lunch breaks – still leaves 78 hours a week to potentially spend with God. Truthfully, though, when was the last time you gave Him more than 5 minutes of your day?
But what benefit is there in developing a relationship with God?
Charles F. Stanley once said, “Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.” (1)
What do we hope to accomplish in life? Do we want to climb the corporate ladder, or earn an increase in pay? Do we want a bigger house, newer car, fancier clothes to wear? Are we hoping for the esteem of our colleagues, or are we improving our education to earn a few more letters on our signature lines?
While none of these things are ignoble, they will all be forgotten one day. The only thing lasting in life is what we do for and on behalf of Jesus. And faithful service only comes through surrender and intimacy. The more we love God, the more we want to serve Him by serving others.
To impact our world, we must be intimate with God. Divine intimacy, then, must be something we strive for every day.
Two years ago, I bought my first Daily Bible. This year, I’m working through my second. Daily, committed Bible reading has been life-changing to me. God speaks to me through HIs Word. His wisdom, His guidance, His love, and provision come shining through the scriptures. I listen to sermons every morning, but reading HIs Word, myself, brings me closer to His side in a more intimate way than anything a minister could ever invoke.
I also strive to keep His message foremost in my thoughts by listening to contemporary Christian music. These songs – such as what I embed at the bottom of each of my posts – keep me energized, encouraged, and enthusiastic for Christ. The lyrics speak to my heart and resonate in my mind all day long.
Music, meditation, and ministry embedded into my daily life help keep me focused on His mission. The positivity and love I absorb by placing these three pillars at the forefront of my life help me impact the world around me. My intimate relationship with God helps me better demonstrate love, service, and dedication to others.
Seek God. Serve others. Sacrifice your will to Christ. If you’re willing to put these three principles into action, you can impact the world around you. Start today, and you’ll see a difference in your brighter tomorrow.
Reference:
1. Stanley, C.F. (2014). Life Principle 1: Our Intimacy With God. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.intouch.org/Read/life-principle-1-our-intimacy-with-god