Day
38
- Becoming
a World- Class Christian
God's
call to us to reach the world for him is a personal call to you. You
have two choices: either look to your own needs or to the needs of
others. Looking to your own needs for fulfillment is what the world
expects. Followers of Christ need to look outside of themselves. Those
who don't know Christ are selfish and are never fulfilled, those who
have accepted Christ need to look to the needs of others and give
themselves away to get the most important thing in return, a fulfilling
relationship with Christ.
In
order to go from our old ways to the new, we must first stop thinking
about ourselves. Begin looking to the spiritual needs of
unbelievers. Start praying for guidance to help others get closer to
God.
Next,
think beyond the places you know. There is a big world out there
and places where Christians struggle and are persecuted. Begin praying
for people you may never meet: missionaries, world leaders, and those in
other countries and places who need to hear about Christ. Pay attention
to world events and pray for people to see God reveal himself in their
times of need.
Think
about things that are eternal.
It is easy even for Christians to get caught up thinking about
possessions of this world, but they all pass away. Work on thinking
about the needs of others and how you can help. Your efforts to help
others see Christ will not pass away. You can trade things that don't
last for things that do.
Finally,
don't focus on excuses. When you begin doing what Christ asks of his
followers, all kinds of excuses will come to mind. Instead of not doing
what you are called to do, begin working on creative ways to overcome
those excuses. If you think you are too young, remember that 1 Timothy
4.12 says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love,
in faith and in purity." You can be an example to others because of
your age! If you think you have too little to give, read Mark 12.42-44.
Start praying about ways that what you see as weaknesses can be gifts
that lead others to a relationship with Christ.
Thinking about my purpose:
Know. God's call for us to
reach out to others is a call to me.
Remember. "Send us around
the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for
all mankind." -Psalm 67.2 (LB)
Think about it. What can I do to help
others around the world in the next year?