Why are you here? This is a question most of us think we already know? I’m here to raise my kids, pay my bills, plan for the future and love God….Right? Let’s think about this a little more for a minute. Yes it is true that God wants me to do all the things I listed but is there more? Is that all God expects from me? In Matt 10:35-40 we read: 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A person's enemies will be members of his own family. 37 "The one who loves his father or mother more than me isn't worthy of me, and the one who loves a son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. 38 The one who doesn't take up his cross and follow me isn't worthy of me. 39 The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it." 40 "The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me.
Christ makes it very clear that we are to love him and the father, God more than our own parents, children, career, house, car you name it he makes it clear that even our most personal relationships and possessions are second to him. This even tells us that this love will cause strife in our relationships.
Now back to my original question. What’s your reason for being here? Many of us including myself are content just achieving the basics each day, like working, taking care of my children’s extra activities, getting supper ready each night, cleaning my house and maybe..just maybe studying my Bible on occasion. Its true life is so busy and filled with stress, sometimes some drama and defiantly unexpected twist, turns and detours. At some point each of us has to make a decision. That decision could be to continue what seems at the time to be the easiest and most normal path. But what if we tried to change how we are looking at our lives? What if we still made sure we took care of what is important to each of us here on earth, but also made sure what we used 100% of the talents God gave us? What if our weekly journey to and from soccer practice or the grocery store included dropping off a plate of food for a shut-in or included picking up extra supplies for a charity we felt a strong passion for? What if we stepped up to lead a prayer before our children’s soccer, basketball or softball game started? What if we took it upon ourselves to start a collection of clothes, food, or money for a cause that we feel a true calling to help? What if by doing this you were presented opportunities to reach out to help others and possibly even share Christ with a complete stranger? What if that stranger saw Christ’s love through you? ……What if? In Matt 25:35-36 we read: 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Our lives are made up of happiness, hurt, decisions, regrets and opportunities. I pray you look for and embrace the opportunities that God has put in your life. We don’t have to be rich, educated or experienced. All God has asks us is to do is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and if that doesn’t seem to be working LOVE some more! Will it be easy? Is life easy? No but God and Christ never said it would be. What Christ did say was feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
Keep your eye's open for the next opportunity to come along. Chances are you already know someone or some cause that needs your one and only God given talent. Oh and don’t kid yourself we all have a talent. Mine might be different from yours but you and I still have a talent. Don’t waste it in thoughts of "I'll do it one of these days". USE IT NOW! Embrace it; God gave it to you and you only!
Peace
Mark
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