Impactful Change

Impactful Change

2 Timothy 2: ²⁰ In a large house there are dishes and bowls of all kinds: some are made of silver and gold, others of wood and clay; some are for special occasions, others for ordinary use. ²¹ Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed. 

 

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Living in a “just enough” fashion had become the norm for me. I felt stuck doing insignificant dead end things. Something had to change, but what. I prayed for GOD to change my circumstances, but nothing was happening.

 

• I wanted GOD to raise me up, but I was not willing to make a change.
• I wanted circumstances to be different without me needing to do anything about it.
• I wanted life to be easy without having to make any sacrifices.

 

Paul gives Timothy some very wise advice. He told Timothy to live a clean life that is dedicated to the LORD, this way he could be used in a special way. Paul had made a significant change in his own life from being a murderer to becoming a preacher of the Gospel and knew what it took to serve the LORD in a
special” way.

 

My Observations

• Yes, I am saved, but my relationship with the LORD is ordinary unless I dedicate myself to HIM.
• Yes, GOD loves me, but there is a part of our relationship that I can choose so HE can use me in a special way.
• Yes, I have a purpose, BUT GOD wants to give me a “special” purpose which requires another level of dedication to following HIM.

 

Change happened when I accepted JESUS as my Savior. I mean, I believed HE forgave me of all my sins. That felt great, but that happened a long, long time ago. HE, however wants me to continue to change for HIS powerful purposes. This requires me to examine my life and ask HIM to rid me of sins that block HIS “special” use.

 

GOD wants “impactful change” from me. Not just ordinary going to church change, but a readiness to be used in a special way. This requires me to ask HIM to help me rid myself of “evil things” so I can be ready for “every good deed.” I will make myself available to GOD.

 

Challenge

• What “special purposes” is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever wanted things to change in a greater way, but have not looked at yourself to see what needs to change?
• Will you know that you are saved AND GOD wants to use you for something special, but it will take a change in you so you can be used by GOD in a “special purpose” today?

A Life of Impact

2 Kings 20: ⁴ Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ⁵ “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 

⁶ I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

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“What are you guys going to do today?” one of my fathers asked. My buddy and I said “I don’t know, probably go out and have some fun.” “Is that it?” he questioned. Then he said some “blah, blah” stuff.  Why is he asking me about my future? Doesn’t he know there is a new club that just opened and we wanted to check it out?

• Sometimes I act like I will live forever.
• Sometimes I don’t look into the future.
• Sometimes I waste precious moments doing nothing of value.

I have known people who have faced their mortality and when they recover they live life very differently.  Each day seemed to be a blessing and the worries they used to have seemed to disappear. As I observed these people they did have some common.

• They told me “Care about people.”
• They told me “Trust in the LORD.”
• They told me “Count your blessings.”

Life is too short to be worrying and complaining all the time. Being preoccupied on the trials takes away time I could have spent with GOD, doing what HE wants me to do. Someone else said this to me… “What if you KNEW you were going to die next week, how would you spend your time living your life?” Then live that life now.

This statement reached me. Now I see life as a marvelous adventure GOD has placed in front of me. Every day is a blessing that HE made and the more I realize HE made it, the less I complain or worry.

• Are you complaining about something?
• Are you overcome with worry, fear and doubt?
• What if you knew you were going to die soon, how should you live your life?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom and preparing people for CHRIST’s return?