Survive or Thrive

In nearly every area of life, we have to determine whether we are going to shoot for the stars or settle for below average drivel.

This is true in any relationship!

To make it work and to have a strong bond, a large amount of time and energy must be invested.

This is true with a church!

As the people of Keystone, we have the opportunity to effect our future and see the ministry we offer as a church become something that has increasing significance.

This is true in our personal, spiritual lives!

In order to achieve spiritual excellence and have a continued connection with God that empowers and impacts all that we do, the price of discipline and obedience must be paid and God must truly be Lord of our lives! The question in front of us then is, “Are we paying the price in extremely important areas of life and becoming all that we want and desire, or are we achieving in areas of relative insignificance while the key areas of life flounder?”

I want each of you to take a moment to consider three key areas of your life. Then look at the diagnostic questions that follow to see if you are falling into common traps or truly achieving things that are of the utmost importance, both to your life and from God’s perspective.

Area One:
Significant Relationships

Area Two:
Your Church & Spiritual Family

Area Three:
Your Own Relationship With God

How are these areas of your life? Are you spending appropriate amounts of time and energy to see that your involvement contributes to making each of these things the best they can possibly be?

Question #1:
Are You A Talker Or A Doer?

Perhaps some of you, as is my tendency, love to talk in great and glorious ways about what is truly important! The thing that we must watch is that our words are always followed by supporting actions. It is one thing to say that a relationship is important. It is another thing completely to set aside the time each week that proves our words to be true. In the same way, it is also important that we not only talk about church as something that is important and makes a difference in our lives. We must also value it with actions and attendance.  If church and making a difference through a local ministry are important, it will not be bumped or forgotten with any frequency for other reasons! The most important activity always takes priority! Many people say they believe in and live for God! If this is true, the same person will never tell you of how they are too busy to pray, never take time to read their Bible, and only really obey God on certain issues!

Question #2:
Do The Things You Spend Your Time On Reflect These Key Areas of Life?

We are busy people who live busy lives in busy worlds! Whether we say it, feel it or even know it, our time is demanded by so many people, places, and things that each of us has to be extremely careful of what we commit to and how our valuable time is spent! The key relationships in our life, our spiritual family, our local ministry, and our personal relationship with God demand to be more than just a small portion of our life, getting only the leftovers and scraps that remain after the other important things are looked after! Take a look at what you spend the majority of your time doing and you will discover what is truly important to you no matter what you say or even feel! Take an honest look at these things and ask God to help you set proper priorities from His perspective! If you will reprioritize with these key areas of life in mind, it will only mean positive things for your life as a whole!  

Question #3:
Are You Truly Fulfilled?  

Many times we are tricked, probably by ourselves more than anything, into thinking that if we only had a certain kind of car, a specific size of house, and a six digit income that we would begin to arrive and experience a greater measure of fulfillment.  

The reality is that while these other things are wonderful accomplishments and great tools that can accomplish a number of great things, they in no way compare to the most significant key areas of life. Go ahead and accomplish all that you can, but don’t for one second believe that it will bring you any real fulfillment. Don’t allow the emptiness that chasing these things births in your life to fuel your continued pursuit of such empty goals either. Chase after the things that God tells us are important, and you will always find what you are looking for - even if you never thought that was your goal!

As followers of God, otherwise significant accomplishments will seem shallow and meaningless without these things intact and flourishing no matter what else we achieve in life! Make sure that first things are first in your life and see how everything else becomes better than ever!

- Pastor Rob Paterson