I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always the perfect example of living out my faith. My life is a trail of wrong decisions and bad judgement calls. And in a fairly competitive industry like mine, it is easy to lose sight of what should be my highest goal – living a life that reveals my relationship with Christ – for a more appealing goal like fame and personal success. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad about fame and personal success; however, if I were to achieve them by sacrificing my faith and compromising my beliefs, is it really worth it?
If my faith – my relationship with God – is really important to me, it should impact every part of my life…and that includes my relationships and my business decisions. That’s not an easy thing to do. It requires me to really think through the options, consider the consequences of each, and make a decision based on how I believe it will honor Christ, improve my relationship with Cindy, build my friendships, and further my career.
Paul tells the people of Galatia:
“Since this is he kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.”
Too often I see people looking for the shortcut to friendship and success. They think there is some easy answer, a formula that just “works” and suddenly you have lots of friends, you’re famous and rich. Even if there were such a formula, how would you feel accomplished if all of it was just handed to you?
I believe God has given all of us certain abilities – intellectual and artistic. I also believe that things that happen in our lives have for a specific purpose. My accident many years ago gives me an empathy for people who are struggling with physical rehabilitation. My desire to see children learn and build confidence strengthens my dedication to use my skills to make learning fun and exciting. I’m thankful for these opportunities – and for a great wife who supports me in them.
Paul continues by saying:
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
It is my responsibility to be creative with my life without the competitive comparison to what others are doing. I know who I am, what work I have been given, and I’m trying to do my best to accomplish those goals without becoming proud or arrogant.
I want my wife to know that I love her. I want my friends to know they are important to me. And I want to be successful in my business because I want to use my abilities to honor the One who gave them to me…and to make a difference in the world.