“Don’t do it for yourself kid, there’s better reasons”- Dom Kennedy.
It’s December and with the wrap of the present year, I’ve been doing a lot of self-inventory. During these moments of recalibration I’ve been considering the reasons as to why I continue striving forward.
Forward in every facet of my being. In my work-ethic, finances, spirituality, education, family, friends, creativity, and much more for the list is truly endless.
Now back, to the reasons. I’ve discovered three core values to be the anchor in my life. These three being: love, faith, and hope. The three in which I build my life upon , and three that holds all my reasoning when other logic seems to fail.
The first of these three being
Love:
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy going or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing”-1 Corinthians 13:1-3
“… I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing” love being the cause and cure. The only facet that remains with humanity when all else fails, and yet one of the hardest practices to maintain daily. Yes, I wrote “practice” because I practice love intentionally. There are many moments in which I want to cut others out of my space, or I want to afflict the same pain I may have experienced. However, I’m always reminded that I’m rooted and bound in love. Love being what has saved and restored me time and time again, and love being what I hope to always give.
2. Faith
“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind”- James 1:6 (NLT).
“..be sure that your faith is in God alone” my faith is what keeps me progressing, especially in areas such as finances and education. These two areas have been as “unsettled as a wave of the sea” for years, however as a result of each test my faith has been strengthened (no matter what the outcome has been). I’ve been reminded of God’s faithfulness and in that alone my heart has become steadfast.
3. Hope
“Do you see what this means –all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running –and never quit!... Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed –that exhilarating finish in and with God –he could put up with anything along the way” –Hebrews 12:2
“…Keep your eyes on Jesus… because he never lost sight of where he was headed –that exhilarating finish in and with God –he could put up with anything along the way” in and with God is the key component. Hope is everything to me in this time of my life. It’s how I continue to get out of bed. There’s a hope of a further glory, a joy that has been set before me. It’s a knowledge that attest against my will to throw in the towel. For when all seems to appear shaky, I know in a matter of time I’ll be found in my space of hope again. It’s never a matter of if, but when. For hope is always sure to appear to those who remain relentless.
So with this in mind, may you find your reasons and stick to them by any means. Keep in the forefront the concluding lines of Hebrews 12:2 “…When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he [Jesus] plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls.
And please remember “ don’t do it for yourself kid, there’s better reasons”.
There’s always better reasons.