Anyways, I've been thinking a lot lately about this particular question. And so to begin I will ask that question again...what is the point? What is the point of life if it's just going to end? What is the point of getting up in the morning if I'm just going to go to sleep? What is the point in eating when I'm just going to go hungry ? Do you ever find yourself asking these very same questions? Sometimes, after leading worship at my youth group with my 2 best friends Jesse and Ben...I ask myself what is the point of this if no one really listens to what we sing? After, much thought and prayer I have much to say.
First of all, when you think about it...there is a reason for every little thing in life. For example, you brushed your teeth this morning to avoid another dentist visit (or maybe you just like clean teeth). You woke up this morning because you have things to do (hopefully). You go to bed because you need rest in order to get the things you need to do, done. But, you live to make a statement.
The statement you choose to make depends solely on you. God made you to make a statement for Him but you don't have to do that, there are not very pleasant consequences that accompany this decision if you choose it, but there still is, undoubtedly, a choice. There are only 2 choices that you can make..
1) Make His statement
2) Make your own statement
Let's explore option 2...now if you're a normal Christian, I'm sure you've already done this but for the sake of this post, I'd like to explore what that means. Now, wanting to make your own statement is somewhat natural, seeing as how we seem to be selfish in our very nature. We are out for our own personal interests and goals first...if anything or anyone gets in the way of that, better watch out, cause it won't be pretty. We also want to be recognized for OUR own achievement. This means we want people to know that we are awesome (at least in our own heads). Since, we are out for our own goals and personal interests we will try to achieve those things by: working hard, cheating, stealing, lying, gossiping, crying, complaining, studying, discovering, ascertaining, entertaining, contemplating...you get the point, we will do anything to get it. And if we do get it, we want to be recognized for that achievement (20 gamer points for you), because WE did it and WE DIDN'T NEED ANYONE ELSE. We want to be self-reliant. We want to be self-sufficient. We want the glory and honor for ourselves. But if or when you achieve that goal, ask yourself...are you really happy that "YOU" did it all on your own? Are you really, truly, honestly, satisfied with yourself? If you are like most people, your answer would be NO. No, I am not happy that I did it all on my own. No, I am not truly and honestly satisfied with myself. In fact, I am unhappy. The satisfaction is fleeting. In the end, I am left alone with no happiness and no true direction. This is option 2 and after exploring this, which we all have, the question is asked...what is the point? Well, let me try and explain it with the first option.
The first option is the choice to make His statement. Now, let's get some questions out of the way before we get into what that means. First of all, why make His statement? He died for you and even when you were His enemy, when you spat in His face, when you turned your back...He still loved you enough to forgive and die for You, yes you. When do we make this statement? The time is now, there is no time to waste for time is already running out. Now the big question...How do you make His statement? Maintain a strong connection with Him constantly...you do that by always being in prayer and by reading His message to you (the Bible) daily. If you want to get to know the Author, you need to read His material. Submit to His PERFECT will and give up your own. You will only find your life when you lose it for His sake (no, it doesn't mean literally die). Now, you know the whys, the whens, and the hows, so now what? LIVE OUT LOUD. Make His statement, not always necessarily with what you say but what YOU DO. What you say and what you do should always agree, when they conflict...people start callin you a hypocrite and things like that....we don't want that. Avoid this by being the same wherever you go, it's quite easy when you always have Christ in mind, if you truly realize the depth of what it means for Him to die for you, you would want to make Him proud. This is option 1.
Bringing it all together, what is the difference? The difference lies in where your allegiance lies. The difference lies in your motives. The difference lies in your heart. The difference is you. Do you want to be heard? Or do you want Jesus Christ to be heard through you? The main difference is where you place the emphasis. If you place it upon yourself...you will end up disappointing yourself cause let's face it, you never do anything absolutely perfect (if you know me, that's hard for even me to swallow). You will never be good enough for yourself. There is no point to this choice because it disappoints, it leaves you well-short of satisfaction. The only choice left is making His statement. If you place the emphasis on Him, lives WILL inevitably change ,most importantly, your own life. This is where the nail is hammered into place...making His statement gives you PURPOSE! Your life has meaning...so no matter what you do, do it for Him. When you get up, it is because God has something planned for you that day. When you brush your teeth, it is because God wants you to impress that girl/guy with your amazing smile. When you go to sleep, it is because God wants you to rest. People, nothing you do on Earth is purposeless, it is all apart of His will. Don't get me wrong though, there are things that, if you do chase after, are meaningless (read Ecclesiastes or ask Jesse). But please, for the sake of Jesus Christ, if you are a child of His...when things don't go your way, don't give in. When someone you love dies, when a family member is diagnosed with an incurable disease, when you fail a test, when you break a bone, when nothing goes right...He is there to hold you close. Don't turn Him away. Pull Him close. Let Him mold you into the man/woman of God that He wants you to be. Jesus loves you. He has the plans, not you...His dying breath gave you life. Make His statement.
John 16:33- "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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