Outlive Your Life

Last month, I read a great book by Max Lucado titled Outlive Your Life.  I thought some points of his would be particularly encouraging to share as we are beginning a new year.

The whole book is filled with amazing stories and great examples of ways to make the most out of your life. He reminds us that "life is racing by, and if we aren't careful, we will look up, and our shot at it will have passed us by."

I Corinthians 1:26-27 reminds us that we don't have to be hotshots or the best in our field to be used by God.  In fact, He wants to take the foolish to shame the wise and the powerless to shame the powerful.  He can use ANY of us if we will only let Him.

I particularly like his 3rd Chapter titled Let God Unshell You.  Max Lucado encourages us to make a careful exploration of who we are and the work we have been given. Who has God made you to be?  With whom do you feel most fluent?  When does your heart race?  We need to find those areas of passion that God has placed in our lives, realize that's who He has made us to be, and then allow Him to work through those areas in powerful ways.

He also has a good chapter about persecution.  If we are using our lives for God's glory, we better expect to be criticized, mocked, and persecuted.  His suggestion for preparing ourselves was to imitate the disciples.  We must linger long in the presence of Christ.  Meditate on His grace, ponder His love, memorize His words, and constantly talk to Him.  Be in His presence.  I love this quote too..

 "If you want to be bold tomorrow, then you need to be with Jesus today."

Max Lucado also dedicated an entire chapter to the importance of prayer.  He reminds us that God didn't call us to preach without ceasing, sing without ceasing, or attending meetings without ceasing.  He called us to pray without ceasing.

I found these points and the rest of the book to be very motivating.  Our lives are so short and too many times we waste the days away with things of little or no eternal value.  As we're into a brand new year, let's start fresh wanting to "outlive our lives" by making the most of every day God has blessed us with.