How to live your best life
Before we look at how to live your best life, I would like to start by thanking all pastors who are sowing seeds, harvesting, preaching and living out the Word of God.
I love my pastor. A man of wisdom, suave moves, humour and passion for Christ. He is also a straight shooter (meaning he is straightforward and honest), and his love for Christ and passion for his congregation means that he doesn’t believe in coddling us. He wants to ensure we hear the truth. And boy was he on fire recently at Church.
The message
For the past few weeks, he has been encouraging us in different ways to live our best life. Key theme messages have been: Being content, Grace and Wisdom. Each sermon building on the previous has left me not only with lots of notes but quite a bit of reflection.
When you think of your best life, what are the top two things that pop into your mind? Need money, get a job, a better job, want a spouse, kids, travel around the world, debt-free etc., sounds familiar?
Many think their best life can be gained in wealth, higher status/ position or other material gains. A majority of you would not have mentioned God first.
Think about that!
We were not created for
God created us to live our best life. We were not created for:
- Retirement
- Laying down all day
- Focus and priority on self
- Amass great wealth for personal gain.
The bible clearly outlines for us our best life. We are to follow Jesus’ life example. Living our best life is to live the Jesus life. As children of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we are to have the mind of Christ and, as such living in a way that exemplifies who Christ is to us.
The challenge we received from my pastor was to reflect on whether we could say this statement to anyone: Follow me as I follow Christ.
How easy is it for you to say that? For me, it is not so easy. So I know I need to seek God’s grace, wisdom and strength to get to where He needs me.
Summary
To summarize living your best life:
1. Forget your past. God’s grace allows us to walk in our purpose.
2. Seek Christ first. There can be no other ‘god’ that conflicts with the attention and time you need to give to God.
3. Get in the Word (Bible). To understand how to live your best life, you need to be in the word continually.
4. Jesus is your best example. Read the gospels to understand the life of Jesus. Start with Luke and then Matthew.
5. Serve. Use every opportunity to serve in your home, work, church and the local community. The beauty and blessing of being a servant to others and building relationships is key to showing “Christ in us”.
6. Share and be accountable to each other. As you grow and learn, take the time out to share your faith and the Word of God with others. This could be through small actions such as mentoring younger folks or larger ones like teaching a bible study. Be accountable for the Word that is preached or make accountable those who try to preach without the Word of God. Preserve the holiness of the Word.
7. Trust God. Trust and submit to God. Let him guide, protect and give you all the power you need to live your best life.
Reflections
I now leave you with one of my favourite verses from Paul:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Food for thought: What if God was all-powerful in your life? What an amazing life you would live. Give God all the glory and see what great things He will do in your life.
Prayer: Father, Your word declares that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. Sovereign Lord, forgive us our foolish pride and desire for independence from You. May our reverence for You be not an act but one of worship and from the heart. Thank You for Your written Word and the guidance it richly provides. Grant Your people mercy, grace, wisdom and strength to live lives pleasing to You and glorify Your holy name. In Jesus name. Amen
God’s grace, peace and love be with you.
Thanks for sharing. If I had to answer the question of the best two top things in my life it would be 1. My relationship with the Lord/ being in service to Him 2. My family
Love those 2! Both very important. Pray you are feeling blessed this week.
Thanks