I believe there is something within the heart of every person to desire to make a difference.  Where did that come from?  Why is it that we actually live more fulfilled and happy lives when we’re unselfish?  It comes from the way we were made in the image of a generous God who finds joy in giving of Himself to us.  Jesus said it this way, “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.” Matthew 16:25 (NLT)

Could it be that we are actually avoiding greater happiness and contentment the more we try to seek after it?  Some people express it this way, “Yeah, I’d like to get more involved in ministry to others, but I’m just so busy.”  The world certainly offers us plenty of opportunities to focus on ourselves and an “us four, no more” mentality, where we only live for those who live under our roof.  However, Jesus cautions us against living that way and invites us to something grander.

Try this: begin giving your life away, as Jesus described, and see if happiness, joy and deeper meaning and contentment don’t find you.  Make it your aim to live your life for others, and God will aim His blessed life at you!

Are you searching for a life of meaning and purpose but haven’t found it?  What’s keeping you back from the true life Jesus promised?

What is the one thing that many of us fail to guard in a fast paced culture? -Our time.  Especially to cultivate ideas, listen to God, and allow ourselves to get in a contemplative mode.  Instead we hurry around with our cars, phones, iPods & other gadgets and people filling our lives with noise.

Even in the ancient times of the Bible, Jesus said to his disciples, “Come apart.”  One person commented on this that, “if you don’t ‘come apart’ you will come apart.”  (Get away from the noise before you come apart at the seams)

Do you have a problem hearing from God?  When is the last time you pushed all the sources of noise in your life aside and sat quietly and waited on God…for more than a minute?

Could it be that many of our stress related issues might be resolved if we took time for concentrated meditation?  -Allowing the Spirit of God room in our lives to operate from within.

Try it.  Take a look at your calendar and when could you make this happen?  Here’s a few suggestions on finding this time:  stay off Facebook for a day, don’t watch TV, return calls tomorrow, tell the people around you that you need to take some time to “come apart.”

Have you had some times where God refreshed you in His presence just by waiting?  Are you needing some de-stressors in your life today?  Give this a try and feel free to comment on what happens after you ‘come apart.’