Do You Have What It Takes To Live Well!
Dec 5th, 2009 | By The Howitzer | Category: Lead, Purpose
by The Howitzer
One of the secret anxieties of many men is a nagging question that sometimes never gets answered. The question is simple yet profound: DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Do I have what it takes to be the leader in my family? Do I have what it takes to be an indispensable asset in the workplace? Do I have what it takes to be a dynamic contributor in my church and community? Do I have what it takes to be an effective manager of my resources (time, talents, treasure)? Do I have what it takes to be a responsible steward of my physical health and fitness? Do I have what it takes to be a sincere, authentic friend in my social network? Do I have what it takes to become a godly man not only on a behavior level but also on the inside of my soul? THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES!
If you are a true follower of Christ and a partaker of the divine nature you have what it takes. You have escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. God by his divine power granted to you everything you need to live your life well and everything you need to live a godly life. This is obtained through the true knowledge of Him who called you. 2 Peter 1:3-4 (Howitzer Paraphrase).
Now this is not something that you can do on your own and not something that happens with a snap of your finger. But, according to Peter (if you are a believer) you have escaped the corruption of the world and God has granted you everything pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence (2 Pet 1:3)
Some observations
1) You have what it takes to live well!
2) You have what it takes to live godly!
3) This living well is somehow tied to your knowledge of God. Get to know him and experience the good life.
4) You have escaped the corruption of the world even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.
Don’t listen to your feelings or well-intentioned fools around you who say it can’t be done. Connect with the truth of the Scripture! Connect with your Creator! You have what it takes to do well. Actually, you have been given what it takes to do well. STOP BEING AFRAID! GO FOR IT!
Photo by The U.S. Army
I received some great advice a couple months ago on this subject. At the time I was feeling “a bit” overwhelmed by my involvement in a local feeding ministry with The Cobblestone Project (http://cobblestoneproject.org/Initiatives/TheGarden.aspx). My role had grown into coordinating a Gathering & Distribution Team that rescues near-dated produce and other food items from various sources and delivers them to soup kitchens, shelters, food banks, and transitional housing units. The ministry has been blessed with rapid growth and abundant resources. So much so that I expressed to my Cobblestone buddy Mike Rusch, “This thing is getting big, I just don’t know if I’m good enough for this!” My friend’s reply to my confession of insufficiency was as brief as it was wise, “You’re not!”
Mike didn’t have to quote me scripture or offer any further encouraging words. The thrust of his sharp statement pierced my fear and immediately transformed it into peace. I am not good enough. I can’t do this on my own. Only God can. And that’s the way He wants it to be. My role in serving others is to show up and let God do what He wants to do. God is more interested in my heart, hands, and feet than my plans, ideas, or skills.
God wants to take me on the joy ride. Remembering that sure takes a load off a guy who keeps trying to grab the wheel!