To Live with All my Might

"Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live." That is a quote from Jonathan Edwards, a man who lived over 300 years ago, who died relatively early in life, at age 54. But, though he died young, he led an incredible life. He made a list of resolutions in his early twenties (very inspirational ones, by the way. It's very worth reading them all.), and he followed them to the best of his abilities.

I wonder sometimes, though, what does it mean to "live with all my might"? How can you possibly live without might?? Well, these are just my humble thoughts on the matter, and I hope that they serve as encouragement to anyone out there who has the same struggle I have!

• Live like Christ is returning today! 

     I recently finished reading Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, and he told a story about his grandmother-in-law. He went to a play with some relatives, including Grandma Clara. He asked her how she liked it, and she replied "I just don't know if this is where I want to be when Christ returns. I'd rather be helping someone or on my knees praying. I don't want Him to return and find me sitting in a theater." That just really stuck with me, and i find myself asking the question "Is this what I want to be doing when Jesus comes back?" Not that watching tv shows or going to plays are sinful things, in small amounts, but they can sometimes get in the way of God's desire and His commands for my life. And it isn't as if He isn't with me every second of every day, that He won't see me watching Doctor Who, instead of doing my daily devotional, but for some reason (and I don't know if this is the wrong mindset or not) it is more intimidating to think of Him actually physically IN the room with me. And I want to be following His plan for my life, when that happens! I want to be making a difference in some small way! First Thessalonians 5:6 tells us to "keep awake and be sober" for the Second Coming. Be aware that it can come "like a thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2). Be prepared.

• Don't wallow in regret for things that have already happened.

     We all make mistakes. But Christ DIED for those mistakes! Regretting that they happened isn't going to reverse the effect or the fact that it happened, instead, it almost says to God "Your Gift wasn't good enough!" And I have problems with this, so I'm not being all judgmental or anything, but just presenting another perspective. I don't really have any biblical back-up for this opinion, just putting together that God sent His Son for a reason, and that reason is our sins. "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)

• Trust the Lord with every aspect of your life.

     This, for me, is the most challenging. I like to be in control, and know what's happening, what will happen, and why something happened the way it did. So that doesn't leave a whole lot of room for trust. In fact, this is something you can pray for me about, that i WILL have trust in God's will for my life, and that I won't doubt His intentions. Knowing that God has my life planned in the perfect way takes a lot of worry off my shoulders, and allows for a freer life. That well-known verse from Proverbs comes to mind: "Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." (3:5-6). In ALL your ways. That means that there is no aspect of your life that should worry you. You don't need to worry about who you'll marry. You don't have to worry about if you'll get a job. You don't need to worry about getting the money you need to pay off your debts. Et'cetera. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't DO things about your issues; you are to use the means that God has given you. It just means that once you have done all you can do, God will take care of the rest. Pray and have faith, and all these things shall be added unto you.

• Do something for someone! 

     If you see someone in need, help them! I struggle with this one as well (I struggle with all of them, but i just point out the ones I have the most trouble with.). I see a man with a cardboard sign on a street corner, and I think that I should help them. But i make excuses, like "Well, I would, but I'm late for class" or "They might kidnap me" (use discretion with who you help. If they just look like they're up to no good, probably best that a young girl doesn't help by herself.). I am going to try to be more conscious of the needs of others, and do what I can to help them. (Not just the homeless guy on the corner. That was just one example.) Jesus said "as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

These are really only a few examples of things to do to live a meaningful life. I'm having trouble remembering all of the ones I came up with right now haha. But the crux of the matter is to do what God commands! Trust Him, serve Him, obey Him, and pray to Him. He will do the rest. I want to be the person that displays God's glory for all to see. I want people to see a difference in me, and I want them to look to Christ because of that. I want to be a candle in the blackest night; illuminating the darkness with the Hope of Christ. (I know this sounds selfish, but I hope you understand my meaning.)

I'm also reading Don't Waste Your Life, by John Piper, and I want to leave you with two quotes from that book.

"We waste our lives when we do not pray and think

and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in ALL spheres of life."

"The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God

in all things for the joy of all peoples."