How Am I Living My Life?

The last few mornings in my devotions I've been reading through the book of Acts. I've been amazed over and over again at the lives the apostles lived. They did not give just part of themselves in service to God, they gave everything they had. They worked for Him day and night. They brought many lives to Jesus. And then this morning I was reading about the conversion of Saul. And it said that straightway he preached after he received his sight. Wow. Then he started converting the very people he had been persecuting.

I have been very challenged by these chapters, and by these men and women of God. I guess it can be so easy sometimes to fall into a rut, and to just live my life without much thought. But I was really challenged with the thought, do I want to be a lukewarm Christian, or do I want to live my lives like the apostles, and give everything I have to serving my Jesus?

This time here in Greenland has been really good. I've been stretched in so many ways. I've seen so many hurting lives, so much pain, broken homes, broken families, and broken marriages. These broken lives are everywhere in this world! I have realized how blessed I am to have grown up in the home I did. I'm not saying everything was perfect [cause' it wasn't :], but it was as close to perfect as it can get [in my opinion]. And in some ways, I feel I just took it fore-granted. But I am realizing how blessed I am to have grown up in the home I did. So I am very thankful for parents who love me, parents who are always there to talk, parents who take an interest in my life, parents who taught us to love Jesus, and to bring others to the love of God, a family who supports me and encourages me to pursue my dreams and ambitions, sisters and a brother who are my best friends, and the list could go on... ... ...

Here in Greenland I've felt my heart opening in a new way to those hurting, lost, seeking healing and love in Jesus. I have so much and I really desire to pass it on to others. So I've been challenged to reach out to those around me in a new way. To show them there truly is love and healing in Jesus.

I'm really quite amazed at the lives my Grandparents live. At age twenty my grandpa dedicated his life to service for God, and now, over fifty years later, he is still full-time in ministry. My grandparents are still making numerous trips up here to Greenland, and to many other places in this world in service for the Lord. They are putting their all into helping others. And I've seen so many find hope and healing in God through them. Why do they do this? I wonder. They are in their mid to late 70s. Most others their age are retired and relaxing in their elder years. My grandparents could be doing this. But they are not. Still, in their later years, they are in full-time ministry for the Lord. Tears come to my grandpa's eyes as he talks about his work, and the people that he works with. He is passionate for what he does.

So I look at my own life. And I see the great example in my grandparents lives. I see what they have passed down to their daughters, and their husbands, and their grandchildren, and the various ministries that they are all involved in. And then I realize life really isn't about [in quotes] the "party." There is so much more to it. Our time here is short; we are just passing through on our way to eternity. And so I ask myself the question, "How am I living my life?" Am I living it in such a way that if I die tomorrow, I can hear the words of Jesus, "Well done thy good and faithful servant,"?

I am challenged to serve my Jesus to the fullest while I am yet alive. And I want to bring hope and healing to others, so they too can share my joy in Christ!