This past Saturday, I went to an event for Lift Up America, and it was really inspiring to see so many people working to make a difference in their lives and all across the world. Countless stories were told of people who were abused, beaten down, told they would never matter or make a difference, yet they chose to rise up within themselves and find a higher calling, find a purpose. They fought the odds, and chose to reject defeat. They were not overcome with vulnerability, sadness or shame, but took the weaknesses of others and turned their drive into strength and forgiveness.
The big question of the day was one that we all have to answer at some point: Do I Matter?
Take a long hard look at your life … do you think what you are doing right now is making an impact on this world? Or are you living every day as if it were just a channel to the next, just a chore you must get through, or simply a way to pass the time?
Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is the highest selling book of all time, second to the Bible, and I think this says a lot about the world we live in. A lot of people are searching for answers, searching for ways to fill the inexplicable gap that consumes their heart. They want to matter, they want to feel purpose, and they want to live their lives knowing there is an end goal in mind.
How grateful we are to Christ for giving us this end goal, for giving us a true purpose in Him, and for creating us in a specific way to execute a divine and supernatural plan. He not only gives us purpose, but He expects us to act out that purpose in excellence. In other words, His standard is high, the bar is set, and we either make it…or fall short.
Are you taking the challenge Christ has given you? Are you living to your full potential within today and every day?
I have been going to a Bible study on Wednesday mornings, and in the homework this week we went over 1 Timothy 6:11-12:
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Something truly significant to notice here is that we are fighting in this life, we are working so hard that we must grasp our faith, hold on to it, and defend it against what the world might throw at us.
One of the questions asked in our study after we read this was, “Have you fought the good fight of faith this week?”
That was hard to answer…
I wanted to write yes, I wanted to say I had done everything I could, but truthfully? I hadn’t.
Your challenge for today is to take a real look at your life. Take a look at your day today, and ask yourself, did I fight the good fight today? Pray throughout your day that God will give you wisdom and strength to handle whatever comes your way, and if discipline, strife, uneasiness, hurt, or struggle is involved, don’t give up on what the Lord has called you to; a life of greatness.
By: Erika Pizzo