What Else Can I Do?

“Then He added, ‘Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.’” (Matthew 13:52 NLT)

The above statement of the Lord Jesus is on the heels of the parable of the fishing net that explains that at the end of time people will be divided into two groups – those going to heaven and those going to hell. The implications to me are two-fold. First, no one knew the Pentateuch like the teachers of religious law, which, unfortunately, increased their likelihood of never following Jesus. But secondly, those who did choose to become His disciple would have a resource that could magnify the Lord and multiply their effectiveness for Him.

On some levels that paints the picture of people who have attended church for many years. They know all the stories, have heard hundreds of sermons, very likely have led classes, and served on boards, perhaps even occupied a pulpit, but sadly, they’ve never made a commitment to have a love relationship with Jesus. It’s all in their head, but not their heart. They’re like a treasure that when filled with the Holy Spirit can multiply their effectiveness for Jesus exponentially.

It begs the question: “What about me?” Each of us has had a unique life filled with drama, heartache, suffering, and pleasure from which we could draw if we opened our heart to Jesus in a fresh way. Are you brave enough to ask yourself: “What else Can I do?”

The Lord lived a conviction that I have adopted, and I pray you will too. That conviction is: Every life counts! God doesn’t make mistakes. If He gives a person life, that life has purpose. That means YOUR life counts and it means that MY life counts.

Realizing we’re created with infinite worth and value, let me suggest three things we can do to make our lives count.

First: SHOW UP! It’s been said that 90% of life is showing up. That doesn’t simply mean our physical presence. It means wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, we should be engaged, attentive, alert to what God might be up to in this moment. It’s your life so show up for it!

Secondly: STEP UP! Be the person God created you uniquely to be. Your life counts, so act like it. Do what others aren’t willing to do in every avenue of your life. Step up for your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, classmates, even strangers. The Lord doesn’t allow someone to cross your path without a reason. Find out what that reason is!

Thirdly: SPEAK UP! Speak up with your life! Let your life declare the glory of God. Take care of yourself – physically, mentally, spiritually, relationally, financially – in every way! Why? Because you’re God’s child. He loves you as if you were His only child. Make Him proud! Declare His goodness by exuding goodness in and through your life.

Speak up with your limits! There are things a Christ follower can and will do, and things we can do, but won’t. We have God-ordained boundaries we dare not cross – in our morals, our work ethic, in how we love, how we care for others, how we speak.

We speak up with our lips! Unless we SHOW UP, and STEP UP, we have no right to SPEAK UP with our lips. Be someone who makes your words count. Let those in your spheres of influence hear words of love, compassion, affirmation, joy, peace, declaration of the goodness and grace of your Master.

What else can we do? Be the best man of God or woman of God you can possibly be. All in, no reservations!

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊