There is a passage in the bible that I have been going over and over for the last few weeks. It’s that we would, “understand what really matters, so that we may live pure and blameless lives….” (Philippians 1:10)
What if we understood what really matters? If we thought about using our time each day not just on the immediate and temporary things but also on what is of real importance and significance. Where we stopped and asked God, “What would you have me say and do today, and asked Him to show us what really matters.”
I love reading about the life of one man named Dwight Moody who seemed to understand what mattered and therefore was able to make such a difference in many people’s lives. Dwight was born in 1837 to poor parents in a humble farmhouse in Massachusetts and at 17 years old he left home to move to Chicago to become a shoe salesmen.
Shortly after his arrival in Chicago Dwight made a decision that would change everything. He started to seek God first and foremost for his future and as he did he began to feel compelled to speak to people about Jesus. Soon he had large numbers listening and at different times up to 50,000 people would crowd around him as he stood up in his buggy and spoke about Jesus in the open air. Presidents and their cabinet members sat on platforms with him as he preached and through his endeavors the YMCA was also formed.
Dwight Moody was known as a man surrendered to God. He was a man of prayer; actually he was a far greater prayer than he was a preacher. He knew in the depths of his soul that nothing is to hard for God, and so he would pray, hear from heaven and expect answers.
But what always inspires me most about Dwight Moody is that he knew the value of one person to God. Everyday he would speak to at least one person about Jesus, even if that meant getting back out of bed late at night and going out on the street to find someone to talk to.
He was an ordinary man, but God used this humble, shoe salesman to change millions of lives and his spiritual legacy continues to inspire and impact the world today.
How different would our lives all look if we grew to understand what really matters? I encourage you to spend some time at the start of each day finding out and asking Jesus. What plan and purpose has He got for your life, and how does He want you to pursue that today? Is there someone you can speak with, have a coffee, encourage or pray for?
One person can make a difference. Why not make that one person you!
“But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Prayer: Lord please help me to understand what really matters and the difference and eternal significance I can make today. Speak to and direct my words and actions today. I’m listening and available. In Jesus name Amen.
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