NOTE a critical responsibility that must be highlighted.
In all that has been covered in
the taking responsibility series, laying a firm bible foundation for life is vital for success. As the saying, BIBLE stands for Basic Instructions
Before Leaving Earth.
The
Bible reveals God. Your ignorance and rejection of God is a mark of foolishness
for the fool says there is no God. Therefore the bible by revealing God makes
you wise.
The
Bible leads back to God. It does that
by taking you back to the cross each time you read it. In Jesus, you are
reconciled with God. The wise still seek Jesus. You can't use it to go anywhere
else. If the Bible takes you to anything else you have misread it. If it
doesn't take you to the cross you haven't understood it. It will take you there to stay there. When
you go astray it takes you back to the cross again and again.
The
Bible brings a powerful life from God. The Bible introduces a life companion,
the Holy Spirit. God through his Holy Spirit guides you through life. He reveals
God through the Bible and life experiences. He will not forsake you or fail
you. He shows you the path of life. He imparts wisdom, courage, and grace
necessary to take responsibility in life.
The Bible imparts wisdom for life.
Taking
Responsibility VIII # Two Futures Pt I
Refer to the last
words of Moses, Samuel, David, and the Lord Jesus
This
message is the last in the series on Taking Responsibility. It is about taking
responsibility for two futures of life situations. Every life situation has two
futures - a future with and without you, a future with your presence, and one in your absence. A future when you are there and one after you have
left. You have
a responsibility to prepare for both.
Examples of the two futures are: when at home and after you leave home. When at a school and after you leave the school, when at a workplace and
after you leave the workplace, and when at a church congregation and after
you leave the congregation. In the end, it’s when you are on Earth and
after you have left Earth, which are the main perspectives in this message.
Every
person is responsible for the two future perspectives and to prepare for them. You can either prepare for the future or wait to
have accidents with them. Accidents with the future always tend to cause
serious injury if not fatal. How then does one prepare for the immediate future when you are present.
1)
Responsibility for the Future with your presence
God’s
heroes such as Moses, Samuel, David, and the Lord Jesus lived purposeful lives.
Their attitude was to receive God-given responsibility with
gratitude as an opportunity to glorify his name and give the best in each situation. They committed to do everything as unto the
Lord to make the most of every opportunity. They allowed his light to shine in relationships and faithful and diligent service. For them, each
situation established a firm base for their futures, and needed to provide favorable references for them. How can one achieve
this?
- · Realize today's choices have future consequences. And today's actions are seeds with future harvest. You therefore should care how your actions affect your relationship with God and others, especially those depending on you.
- · Dream and dream again. Wherever you are, celebrate every opportunity instead of mourning and murmuring about what it doesn’t have. Your future depends on how well you handle the immediate situation. Pursue your God-inspired dream. However, as with David, the path to your dream may not be obvious when you begin. Have a life plan and allow time for your career and ministry progression. When you suffer setbacks do not give up. All is not lost. The future can bring restoration. Hope for better days. What's ahead is better than the good old days. Replace your regrets with aspirations. The future has opportunities that will appear as you keep moving forward. Stop looking at others and wish you were like them. Wishes are not horses that is why beggars are not riding on them. Let go of your hang-ups and let God pull you up. Dwelling in the past is being Irresponsible for the future.
- · Learn and develop skills and positive attitudes. Take responsibility for your betterment. The future and its opportunities depend on you preparing for it. Never forget that attitude is a better predictor of success than IQ. Don't stop learning. Build capacity and support networks. Be patient. Microwave personal development solutions do not exist,
- · Engage, be involved, and make a positive difference. Come down from the spectator terrace and commentator booth and make your hands dirty. Come out from hiding. Embrace the value of work, discipline, and persistence. Remember you will not always have instant success. Serve with integrity and skill (Psalm 78: 71-72). Participate and give liberally and cheerfully to the work of the Lord. Care about the less advantaged. Keep promise. Pay dues on time. See tasks through.
- · Take care of your health and grooming. You need it to possess the future. Maintain wellness e.g. spiritually, socially, and physically.
- · Trust and hope in God. Pray to shape the future because what will happen is from your prayer or, lack of it. You can access strength and shape the future by prayer. Prayer was a lifeline for David. True prayer brings divine instruction that births peace, strategy, action, and praise. Seek God's kingdom and his righteousness first (Mathew 6:33).
- · Prepare the next generation or those coming after you. Lay godly values and raise effective leaders. Every mature person has a formative responsibility to multiply him/herself. Spiritually it's the responsibility to nurture others in Christ. Parent young ones. Model for and mentor someone else.
Jesus
when present on earth was focused heart and soul to completing his mission
well. His food was to do the will of his father. He made a name for the Father
and instructed beneficiaries from his ministry to go tell what God had done.
- Part II follows – Responsibility for the Future after you leave
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
South
Africa
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