You Have What it Takes

Chapter 4 How to Live a Life That Matters

Everyone wants to live a life that means and stands for something. Everyone should want to impact the lives of others in a great and lasting way.

What will they say at your funeral? (or as we say in the church when one has accepted Salvation, “Homegoing”.) What regrets will you have when you come to the end of your journey? How can you start living a better life now?

Yep, these are heavy questions.

If we don’t take the time now to answer them and live life of purpose and intentionally, we could wind up just drifting through life like so many others who are content to live a life of mediocrity. 

This book is not for small-minded people. It’s not for the mediocre. It’s not for bystanders.

Instead, it’s for world changers. Dreamers. Risk takers. Leaders and key players.

Living a life that matters is important to you. You understand that life is not all about you. You’ve somehow tapped into that secret reservoir called servant hood that ultimately leads to leadership. You understand that to lead is to serve. 

I challenge you today with these 3 principles that you may in fact already know; But even if you do know them, let them serve as a gentle reminder to tell you, “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, you shall reap if you faint not.” –Galatians 6:9

#1 Dedicate your work to God

Let’s face it. Every day won’t be perfect. There will be people who get on your last nerve. If you own a business, you might have to fire an employee from time to time (that’s why it’s wise to be slow to hire and get the right people on the right bus in the right seat the first time around). Every day won’t be a bowl of cherries; but if you do your work as if you’re doing it for God, you can never go wrong.

God knows your heart and understands the real reasons, intentions and motivations for everything you do. Give your business, your work, your life back to God. You’ll never regret it. “Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto The Lord, and not unto men.” –Colossians 3:23

#2 Dare to work your passion

This is a big one. So many people are working a job they just tolerate, desperate to break free and pursue their dream job. To that I say, blossom where you’re planted until the door opens for you to pursue your dream job.

No job is perfect. Every single one will present its own share of problems. It is better to keep the security of the job you have than to quit and realize you have no insurance to get a toothache fixed at the dentist’s office the week after you quit.

Yes, work your passion. But first, identify it and find connections between where you are now and where you eventually want to go.

#3 Forgive one another

If you’re going to live a life that matters, you’ve got to start forgiving people. Life is too short to hold on to grudges and carry bitterness in your heart. Be the bigger person and forgive. When you hold unforgiveness in your heart, it’s like you’re drinking poison waiting on the other person to die. Don’t do it. Learn to let stuff go. We all get hurt. But you do not have to let unforgiveness define your life. A true leader understands the power and practices forgiveness. A great resource to help you with this is a book called Let it Go, by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Action Step: List 2 action steps you using or going to use right now to help live a life that matters. The more practical and specific you can be, the better. For example, you can say things like ‘I am going to start praying in the morning at 5:30 for 15 minutes.’ or ‘I am going to start eating whole foods and go to the grocery store this weekend to stock up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish and chicken.’