Have you heard the two interesting phrases: “Life is short; play hard” & “Leave a godly legacy”. They came to mind recently when I received a special compliment: “You really like what you do, don’t you?”
Yes, I do like my job. And though it is pretty much 24/7, I especially like the role of time management that comes with it. With that freedom to choose what I do, there comes the challenge to ‘do’ wisely. The term ‘wisely’ determines the legacy. Choosing between good and good is more difficult than choosing between good and bad. ‘Bad’ being defined as that which doesn’t leave a legacy.
“The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the LORD, search the heart and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:8-10
When by God’s grace I become possessed of a desire for wise actions, my thoughts which have been used to obeying my selfish actions are sure to say: “I don’t want to”. I need to counter by saying: “I must”. (adapted from Oswald Chambers)
The Word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14
I need prayer support for prioritizing my time. I am quite able to fill each day doing lots of good things. There are heaps of things that are legitimate for me to do. The interesting part here is that some are acceptable by my friends and enemies … and some they would judge as not being acceptable. It is too bad that the things they may judge as bad may still be legitimately good! Personal prioritizing of more of the best legitimates, is a dream/goal I’d love to constantly choose and experience.
I found a significant prayer. I need the support of other pray-ers to wage war against the less than best options of how I spend my hours.
“Lord may my life be totally led by Your Spirit today and so in tune with Your Spirit that the world will know that You came and You want to reclaim Your people into Your kingdom. There are many things that are perfectly legitimate for me to do, but if I am going to concentrate on You, I cannot do them. I love You, more than me, and desire only to serve You in all I do.”
A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekial 36:26-27
Will you pray the highlighted prayer with me? … john (with Laura)
(original e-newsletter post – February 1, 2013)
