Tragedy can teach us. In such times, God’s mercy works in pain. For my family and I, a message came that brought renewed focus and direction. Nothing is wasted.
More on that in a minute.
A “New” You
First, as we complete this fourth and final part of a Nothing Wasted Life overview, it is important to consider your core identity. In following Jesus, life changes from measuring “doing” to looking at “becoming.”
The metrics of the Kingdom are different than the natural world. It is not the quantity of our “doing” that creates our value. As we live a life with/abiding in Christ we experience God’s plan for His children. We begin to be the people He created for His Kingdom — and, as a result, begin to do His Kingdom work in His timing.
“All of this is not for the sake of ‘doing’ but of ‘becoming.’ “
What does that “becoming” look like? Jesus.
A simple answer but not simplistic. His life expresses the sense of what a complete, God-created humanity was to be both in wholeness and holiness. The type of person faithful to love God and love neighbor.
So the journey of likeness to Christ is what some have called Christoformity — being formed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:28-29; Gal 4:19). But this is not a brainwashed, acting-like-Jesus in behavioral change. It is a heart and life that overflows from our inside transformation to outward action. We carry the aroma of Christ. In other words, from who we are comes what we do.
“From who we are comes what we do.”
And there are various ways the soil is loosened for growth and transformation by Jesus, including tragedy.
A Final Inspiration in Two Words
Sadly, it didn’t take long.
After a short time of physical difficulties, my father’s passing came unexpectedly. Few things shock you more than realizing your time on earth with a loved one is quickly coming to an end. I can still see the quiet, strong presence of my father share what became a final message: “Don’t Wait.”
A moment frozen in time.
Over the weeks and months that followed, the depth of these words spoke of many themes. These words described how often we put things off.
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- Ignoring the loved one near us to pursue our own pleasure.
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- Skipping the vacation that interrupts our “all-important” work in home or occupation.
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- Not changing unhealthy or ungodly life patterns when we need to.
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- Saying the “no” that is needed.
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- Saying the “yes” that God would have us say, even if hard.
In this phrase, my father captured the practicalities of not procrastinating whether a vacation or a relationship or a project. But it also captures the sense of urgency to turning to God with our lives — for the sake of others but also for our own sake. God is inviting us to experience a real grace-missional life (1 Cor 15:10), whatever our challenges.
“It captures the sense of urgency to turn to God with our lives. For the sake of others but also for our own sake.”
So I encourage you: Don’t wait. Step into a deeper relationship with God and inviting Him more into your everyday life. And join us here in that pursuit.
Your “Don’t Wait” Moment
And, in that spirit, here are resources in the form of a newsletter, blog, and retreat for your various discernments of life.
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- To encourage others in living wisely with a sense of God’s presence in everyday life.
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- To live toward an everyday, every-moment sense of God’s purpose in everyday living.
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- To offer tools to assist with discernment (or develop your own weekly rhythm or plan).
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- To offer time to seek and rest in God’s plans in your life.
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- To have others to encourage in this rhythm in life.
And these ideas can get us started. I don’t have all the answers but I am on the journey with you. Let’s seek God’s grace and mercy together.
Join to hear ideas and inspiration to encourage and equip you in living everyday life with God as your center. Sign up here to join others on this journey.
OR explore more in this overview series about the big picture and story around the idea of a Nothing Wasted Life. Check out the other posts:
