Tag: motivation

One Thing

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional1 Comment 
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8, ESV)

The Apostle Paul had one all-consuming passion: to know Jesus Christ more. This one passion fueled everything in his life. He was willing to sacrifice his time, energy, and body. He was willing to go wherever he needed to go and do whatever needed to be done. He was willing to trade everything–recognition, applause for his accomplishments, favor among his colleagues–all for the sake of Jesus.

If you were to boil it down, what is the one thing that is driving your life right now? What is the purpose that defines your life? 

If an alien from another planet was to investigate your life closely to try to determine what you care about, why you get up in the morning, and what you might even die for, what would it be? 

Although there are one thousand and one things we should care about and are important, what if God wants your life to be driven by one thing? And, yes, there are a million and one habits you and I could work on, but if you could name one discipline in life right now that God wants you to practice, what would it be? I think it’s important to focus on that one thing, because otherwise it could be crowded out by the host of distractions that are going to come your way today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

But imagine for a moment where your life might take you in the next five or ten years if you put into practice this one thing on a daily basis. Whatever it is–ask God to empower you by His Spirit to commit to this discipline. And when you do that, you’re living by faith because you’re trusting that God will bring the results if you don’t neglect this daily habit. What is that habit?

Sit with that question for a bit. Let it marinate. Imagine what your life might look like if you lived with single-minded devotion for Jesus Christ above all else. What would you need to sacrifice? What would you have to let go of? What would you have to do? Ask God to show you what one thing is critical and might just transform the trajectory of your life, making you into a more loving, joy-filled, purpose-oriented person. Whatever it is, you’re not going to find it in your past. God is holding out to you something in your future.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:12-14, NLT)

Father, You bring light and life to all who commit their lives to follow You. I pray that both the person reading this and I would be fueled by one great passion: to glorify Jesus Christ all our days. Would you work in our hearts and empower us to live this journey of faith with eyes on Your Son, Jesus. It’s in His Name I pray. Amen.

Are you interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you? I’d love to hear from you!

How Teachable Are You?

On By Jason SmithIn Devotional, Theology for LifeLeave a comment 
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:7, ESV)

As long as we are still here on this earth, we need reminders. I’m 37 now, and I can still remember a conversation with one of my high school teachers twenty years ago that has stuck with me. I think it stuck with me, because overall I thought of myself as a good student. But during that time, I was facing some challenges and not making the best decisions.

He told me he noticed that during the first part of the school year, I was doing well in class, but lately, it seemed like I wasn’t really taking the subject seriously. Initially, I wanted to brush him off. Why is he picking on me? I’m a good student, after all! 

I think he recognized something was off. When a student has done well consistently throughout the year, but they suddenly bomb an assignment–and then another one–the issue is probably the student, not the teacher. For me, it was an issue of teachability. His words stuck with me: “I’m saying this to you because I know you’re capable of more.”

Ouch. Those words stung! It felt like he was calling me lazy. And you know what? He wasn’t wrong! For various reasons, I had stopped putting in the effort. And he noticed and told me as much.

It can be hard to receive counsel from others. We tell ourselves that we know what’s best for ourselves. On top of that, we live in a culture that says you should trust your feelings above all else. Christians need to remember we are in a battle with the ideas, selfish desires, and spiritual forces that oppose the gospel (commonly called “the world, the flesh, and the devil”). And part of that battle is remembering how easily we can fool ourselves. That’s why we need to hear instruction and counsel from others.

The wise king Solomon taught: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1). 

In other words, the one who refuses the counsel of others is instead surrounding him or herself with bad thoughts. The man who doesn’t let others speak into his life or hold him accountable is ultimately the fool headed for a train wreck. Whether he realized it or not, my teacher’s words to me were like a wake-up call: “Don’t be a fool!” Or said in a slightly nicer tone: “Don’t waste what God has given you!”

Wisdom begins with recognizing how much we need it and how following our own desires and impulses can so easily lead us astray.

Solomon also said: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
   and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
   fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8, ESV)

How teachable are you? Do you let people speak truth and wisdom into your life? Do you let Scripture direct your paths and shape your thinking–or is God on mute in your life?

So often we refuse to listen to our critics or those who disagree with us, believing we already know best. But what if God is sending such people to get our attention? 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest source for humble teachability. It tells us that we have all made a mess of things through our sin, but at the same time, we have a God who loves us unconditionally–and proved it through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Knowing you are so easily swayed by sin creates humility. You can no longer believe that you can’t be deceived or led astray. At the same time, because God so dearly loves you, you have every confidence to confess where you’ve been duped or made bad decisions, knowing He forgives and restores. 

We have all been in that place. So, know that your sins and mistakes doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love. If we are rooting ourselves securely in His love, it can become the very thing that opens us to receive instruction and correction. 

So let me encourage you to make a commitment to be teachable this coming week. Listen to those who want to provide godly counsel. 

Is there anyone who you need to talk with that you have been avoiding?

Have thoughts on this post? I’d love to hear from you!