I frequently tell my 5 year old to "practice your patience". in rearing children, I think that is a VERY important character trait to develop.
How did Micheal Jordan become a great basketball player? How does Tiger Woods continue to take his game higher? PRACTICE. As Christians, I think we can become great in God by "practicing your purpose". How else will we become good at what God has called us to do?
A few years ago I read the popular book, Purpose Driven Life. The aftermath of that book was phenomenal, and many people have either accepted Christ into their lives and/or grown deeper in their relationship with him. See description below from purposedrivenlife.com:
The most basic question everyone faces in life is Why am I here? What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.
The Purpose-Driven Life takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning Purpose-Driven Church and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand God’s incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see the big picture of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live.
The Purpose-Driven Life is a manifesto for Christian living in the 21st century...a lifestyle based on eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using biblical stories and letting the Bible speak for itself, Warren clearly explains God’s five purposes for each of us:
We were planned for God’s pleasure, so your first purpose is to offer real worship.
We were formed for God’s family, so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.
We were created to become like Christ, so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.
We were shaped for serving God, so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.
We were made for a mission, so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice the 4th purpose: "practice real ministry". One definition of practice is: "translating an idea into action". All of the purposes listed above require practice.
Once you know your purpose, start practicing, keep practicing, and press forward:
Philippians 3:13-15 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
1 comment:
I remember that poster that read that Knowledge is Power. The truth is that Knowledge Applied is Power. In order to apply any knowledge we have to practice.
The problem is that we are afraid to get it wrong first. We have a skewed understanding of failure and so that makes us want everything perfect before we begin.
No one has a perfect plan except God. We need to take steps, fall, get up and keep moving.
Great Post!
Post a Comment