Are You All You Want To Be?

I don’t know who said the quote in the box but it is an interesting one, isn't it? It is also one of my “not favorite” quotes because it reminds me of my individual accountability and responsibility. It reminds me of why I can’t fly an airplane because when I had the chance to learn I didn’t take advantage of the situation.

However I think we can find a valuable lesson in it. Remember the words of Solomon in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks within himself, so is he.” It would do each of us well to take a good look inside from time to time to see what is within us that could stand some changing.

Why are some people negative in their thoughts and speech? Isn’t it because they choose to be?
Why are others so positive and helpful, kind and caring, giving and hospitable? It’s for the same
reason - they choose to be!

Consider Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:16-19 as he prays for them. “...Making mention of you in
my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…” Oh, that we could all have the “eyes of our hearts enlightened.” Then maybe we could truly look within ourselves and see what is there and how it compares with what God wants to see within us.

There is so much good going on - people striving to fulfill God’s will in their lives, acts of kindness, visits, needs being met. And yet, sadly, there is much going on that is not so good.

Look at the quote in the box again. Are you the way you want to be? Are you the way God wants you to be? If the answer to those questions is “no” then that brings up the other question. What are you doing to change?

Most of us have seen the military motto, “Be all that you can be.” Well, that’s what God is telling us. We can be everything that God wants us to be. He has promised to help. Ephesians 3:20,21 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Now take another close look at your life. What do you see? God has blessed us all so richly. Be all that you can be. Strive to be what God wants you to be.

See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony