I think it’s healthy to stop periodically and take inventory of our lives. It’s important to ask, “Am I really living the life Christ died for me to have? Or am I settling for …
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I think it’s healthy to stop periodically and take inventory of our lives. It’s important to ask, “Am I really living the life Christ died for me to have? Or am I settling for something less?”
Regardless of what’s happened in the past or what obstacles seem to be in our way, God has a big, full life in store for each one of us. However, it’s up to us if we’re going to get the best out of life and make the most of our time, talents, relationships, and opportunities.
The book of Genesis contains a great lesson in this area. It shares the story of Abraham’s father, Terah, who gathered his family, packed up everything, and set out for his ultimate destination—Canaan.
However, Genesis 11:31 tells us, “...they went forth together to go from Ur of the Chaldees into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there” (AMPC).
I wonder how many people start out to do one thing in life but settle somewhere along the way because they get tired or because it’s convenient. It’s not really what they want, but it’s something they think they can “put up with.”
Are there areas in your life where you have “settled” or maybe just haven’t made as much progress as you have hoped? The Lord has called us to excellence; however, so many times we settle for being mediocre. The word mediocre literally means “to live halfway between success and failure.”
And that’s where so many people live; they haven’t completely failed, but they’re also not where they really want to be!
This applies to every area of our lives. Maybe you have begun studying the Word of God, and you’ve set a goal to really know your Bible and develop a vibrant relationship with the Lord. If that’s the case, don’t settle for just reading a chapter a day to “put your time in”—stay determined to make it a priority and reap the benefits of truly knowing God.
Or maybe you have a goal to lose 20 pounds. If so, make a decision that you’re not going to give up when it gets difficult. Even if you have a bad day and actually gain weight, be determined to bounce back the next day!
Sometimes we get used to the place where we are and almost forget there’s something better. Life gets busy, complicated, or even comfortable, and we lose sight of the dreams and goals we used to have. That’s when we need to stir ourselves up and become determined to attain every single part of God’s plan for our lives.
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-part teaching resource Don’t Settle for Less Than the Best. You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 140 books, including BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND and OVERCOMING EVERY PROBLEM (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.