How To Give Your Best
Part 1 of 3
How would your life change if you invested your resources in what will last forever? What if you gave a percentage of your time, skills, energy, and finance to the eternal?
How would your life be different?
The Bible says that:
- Jesus will return.
- History is moving toward a climax.
- We will spend eternity somewhere.
- Life on earth is a dress rehearsal.
- We have about 70 to 90 years (not very long vs. eternity).
2 Peter 3:11-13 (NLT) – Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
How would your life change if you used more of your time, money & energy on what will last forever?
Here’s what we do, we GIVE OUR BEST!
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
How To Give Your Best
The Bible has three illustrations of giving your best as a farmer, an athlete, and a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV) – Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Giving My Best as a Soldier
I must Know the Mission
As adults, we must have a clear mission and purpose for why we are here. Without a clear mission, soldiers are wondering. Wondering soldiers are not effective and are wasting energy and resources. God calls us to live on purpose; what’s more, he modeled it for us: “Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Do you know your life mission? Do you know why you are here? If you don’t, maybe, you are wondering and wasting your resources.
I must Sacrifice Comfort
The second way soldiers give their best is by sacrificing comfort.
John Maxwell says we must be willing to give up (sacrifice) if we want to go up (be influential).
Leaders sacrifice.
2 Timothy 2:3 (NASB) – Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:2 (NASB) – and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
“He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose.” From Jim Elliot’s personal diary
I must Eliminate Distractions
Finally, soldiers are willing to eliminate distractions.
2 Timothy 2:4 (NASB) – No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Distractions suck the life and energy from us.
Distractions keep us up too late, causing us to stay in bed too late.
Staying in bed too late causes us to show up to life (with family or our profession) unprepared.
Being unprepared is a waste of energy and resources.
What is distracting you from giving your best?
One Last Thought
God is calling you to be a focused and sacrificial soldier; I want to help you further by developing a life plan so you can give your best and live on purpose. Next week I will be sharing how athletes can give their best.
Please remember to share this post and leave a comment (here’s a hint, share one distraction you want to eliminate from your life).
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