Wisdom to Live By

My youth pastor has been extremely influential in my life. Today I was thinking about two specific things he taught me about being a Christian.

The first is that the Christian life is simply a series of asking yourself “who do you love more?” Sin or God? Controlling the situation myself or God? Spending my time my way or spending it with God? There have been many times that I have had two choices clearly in front of me: do I hang out with friends or stay in to pray? Do I save my money or give it in the offering? Who do I love more? Asking this question has helped me make many correct decisions.

The second is a lesson on perseverance. About four years ago, my pastor told me that he and his friends used to fast together. None of them would eat until the next morning — except one guy. He always snuck something before he went to bed. He could never quite persevere and make it through. My pastor told me the guy still trying but not quite making in the Christian life. This taught me that little decisions to persevere are what lead to perseverance as a Christian. If I am not faithful and cut corners in small aspects of my Christian walk, the totality of my Christian life will fall short of the mark. (Its not legalism, its Eph 4:1.)

I will always appreciate the people who took a little time out of their lives to help me live mine. I never know how to express this enough.