Do you wonder whether your life is making a difference in the world around you? Do you ever ask yourself what your legacy will look like upon your death? These are natural questions and affirm that God ordained our desire to know our lives matter to others. In turn, God has wired each of us to impact our world in our own way.
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I, too, ask these questions, especially toward the end of the year when I start thinking about the following year’s goals. I set nine goals for 2015, five achievement goals and four habit goals and am applying a new principle to make forward progress: what gets calendared gets done. I enter only the next step to accomplish each goal and repeat this process weekly. I’ve listed every goal on computer desktop sticky notes so I will remember to read them daily. I was VERY proud of myself for having my goals ready by January 1st—until I heard a sermon that forced me to re-evaluate my goals through a spiritual lens. Andy Stanley, pastor of Northpoint Community, asked a question that exposed how focused I was on myself. It’s a question I think all of us need to ask: What are we going to do to make the world a better place? I reviewed my goals and found two that would allow me to improve our world.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with setting goals to lose weight or exercise more. Goals focused on improving our financial wellbeing are admirable as well. But when we create goals that focus on bettering the lives of others, we are on the right track to fulfill God’s special purpose for each of us. It is not as hard as you might think. We can make our world a better place by embracing four truths found in Exodus 35.
Truth #1- You have what it takes to make this world a better place
“From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze”….Exodus 35:5
If we’re going to make the world a better place, we need to trust that we have enough to make a difference. God designed our personality just the way He wants it, so how we express ourselves is unique. We can give our time instead of pass the time. Many of us claim we’re too busy, but I bet many of us can identify time frittered away that we could reallocate to help others. We also have financial resources. When we’re doing something to honor God, He does not ask us to spend beyond our means.
Truth #2 – You have the power to make this world a better place
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Ex 35:31
God seals His Holy Spirit in us once we place our faith in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That means we have His power within us to do great things for Him. Yet how many of us are trying to achieve our goals through human effort? God invites us to avail ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in us to achieve our goals.
Truth #3 – You have the skills and knowledge to make this world a better place
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Ex 35:31
When God created us, He already knew what purpose He wanted us to accomplish for Him. He equipped us with skills, abilities and knowledge. He’s not about to ask us to do something for Him and then not give us the skills and knowledge to do it!
Truth #4 – You have to be willing to make this world a better place
“And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.” Ex 35:21
I appreciate that God grants us free will. God gives us the freedom to serve Him, or not serve Him. The Israelite community chose to participate in the Tabernacle project. God did not strong-arm them into partnering with Him. Instead, God desires those who are willing. He wants His children’s hearts to stir within them to change our world for the better. Can you imagine what our world would look like if every believer was willing to make a difference and said, “I’m all in!” Wouldn’t it be powerful if all Christians felt a strong burden to change the world because their hearts were moved?
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God equipped you to make this world a better place, but are you willing? The year is young, so it is not too late to set a goal or two that focuses on helping others. If you’re unsure what that goal looks like, pray for God to reveal it to you. He is the one who has the answer because He is the one who created you, called you, empowered you, and equipped you! Now go make our world a better place to live!!
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Blessings,
Lee Ann
It is true, I always wonder how God would use me. I don’t think I am pro-active enough. I do fritter away time, and then ask for forgiveness. It is something that has to be worked at continuously. We can ‘t just try something once and let it go, but to keep working towards that. It takes listening and that’s where many of us fail. I like the way you have broken it down and its true we need to write them down and read them to ourselves every day.
You always hit the nail on the head, thanks Lee Ann.
Thanks so much, Ro. You have such a caring heart toward those who are down and out. I believe God has already equipped you for a food ministry of some kind that allows you to feed the hungry with your great cooking! You are already changing my life by encouraging me to become confident with a crockpot to get away from processed foods. I hope you never underestimate how God is already using you!!
Blessings,
Lee Ann