Pastor Elwin Ahu
May 5, 2002 - W0218

Godís Word tells us that life is shortóabout as long as breath, a sigh, even a vapor. We donít know when our time will be up. Nevertheless, we must decide how we will spend it. Will we live a life of significance? What will we stand for? Some set our lives on cruise control and glide through life without a care. Some hit a wall, crash, and never quite come back. Others wait for a crisis and make a hasty decision. They grasp at anything they think will save them.

Paul encourages us to make decisions that lead to success: ìDo you not know that those who run the race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishableî (1 Cor. 9:24-25).

Weíre all in a race where everyone is trying to find his or her destination for success. However, only one will win the prize. Who will that be? It will be the person who disciplines himself or herself to make decisions that lead to success.

Question 1: How have you chosen to live the rest of your life? If youíve not yet made a choice, what prevents you from taking that step?

How can we position ourselves to succeed? Well, it will take three decisions on your part. The first decision you must make is toÖ

1.                  BELIEVE IN WHO YOU ARE.

How content are you in ìwho you areî? So often we focus on self-perceived faults or imperfections; weíre not satisfied with who we are. But God sees us differently. In His eyes we are perfect just the way we are:

ìYou made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my motherís womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelousñand how well I know it!î (Ps. 139:13-14 NLT).

David understood thisóhe appreciated how God made him. When we fail to appreciate the beauty God created in us, it creates a void in our hearts. We canít and donít feel whole anymore. Then we begin looking elsewhere for something to complete us. It could be a new job, a new car, new clothes, or even a new relationship (even if weíre already in a relationship).

Too often we look to others to validate us. We begin to regard our rolesóas parent, child, spouse or employeeómore than who we are as a person. Studies show that on a scale of zero to 10 (zero being least and 10 being best) most congregations rated themselves between 4 and 8. No one felt really worthless, yet no one felt worthy enough to rate a 10. A more defining question would be how do you rate yourself as a person? Studies again show the average to be between 4 and 8, with most people rating themselves lower in this area. In other words, people feel less as a person than they do in any role they have.

So please get this: If you donít believe and rate yourself a 10 as a person, you will never be able to live up to that rating in your roles. You must believe that God made us all 10s. How do we know? We know this because we were made in Godís image. Is He any less than a 10? Of course not! So we must pull ourselves to the level and ideal that God imprinted upon our souls.

Remember, when thereís a void in life, people or things wonít fill that emptiness. Contentment comes from knowing you are a child of God. It comes from understanding that only Jesus can fill the void in your heart. Then youíll walk in the way He designed youójust the way you are.

Question 2: Strip away the roles you play and examine the person you are. Would you rate yourself a 10? Why or why not?

ìëBehold I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.í But the Lord said to me, ëDo not say, ëI am a youth,í because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,í declares the Lordíî (Jer. 1:6-8).

God is saying donít compromise how He created you. But the choice is yours: Are you going to lower His ideal or raise your performance? God gave you everything youíll need for the call He has for you. He has entrusted you with what you need to live as a 10. Donít settle for less!

The first decision you must make in having faith for success is that you must believe in who you are. Once you grasp who you are as a child of God, then the second decision for success becomes possible:

 2.                  BELIEVE IN GODíS ROAD MAP.

God has a plan greater than anything you can imagine. He put us here for a purpose and His desire is to place us on a path already paved. When you believe this, He can begin to unfold His road map so you can find your way. It requires, however, for you to be willing to submit to His plan and let go of your own.

Letís take a look at how David responded to Godís plan: ìWho am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord? What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it know to your servant. How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own earsî (2 Sam. 7:18-22).

David accomplished everything God had asked him to do. Then he wanted to build a temple, but he submitted to Godís plan to allow his son to do it instead. David had a spirit of complete humility, gratitude and obedience. Therefore, because of this submissive spirit, God unfolded His plan for Davidóa plan for an eternal dynastyÖ one that would lead to Jesus. As He did with David, God will unfold His plan for our lives if we are willing to submit to Him.

How did David know when to submit to God? Because he knew Godóhe meditated on Godís Word day and night. When you spend time with God you will be able to distinguish His voice and know exactly what to do. And when you obey, everything you do will succeed.

Some people say, ìI want to submit to God and His plan, but I canít hear Him.î One quick solution is to examine your heart. Are you holding on to your own plans? Perhaps there is a little seed still there you may not be willing to let go. Whatís holding you back from submitting completely?

Question 3: When making a decision to follow Godís plans, do you find it difficult or easy to give up your own desires? Share any struggles or triumphs you may be having.

ìBlessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospersî (Psalm 1:1-3 emphasis mine).

God gives us instructions contained in 66 books of the Bible. Itís our perfect road map. But we donít always take time to read it before we enter the race. We just hand our map over to someone else expecting them to guide us to our destination. Then we get off course and find that weíre lost. If you ever find yourself lost, go back to familiar territoryóto church, to devotions, or (better still) involve yourself in a care group. A care group is where people are familiar with you; they love God, love you and will help you to get back on track.

God placed you where you are for a reason. He is waiting for you to accomplish something right where you are. Ask God a key question: How can I be obedient to You today? As He sees your obedience in present circumstances, He will be able to entrust you with your future. Be obedient today. It takes trust, a willingness to risk, and submission of everything you have to the Lord.

Question 4: Recall a time when you were obedient to the Lord. How did He reveal or unfold His plan to you?

ìëFor my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,í declares the Lord. ëFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughtsíî (Is. 55:8-10).

ìTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straightî (Pr. 3:5-6).

Once you believe in who God made you to be and trust Him for your road map, the final decision to make in building your faith for success is this:

3.                  FINISH THE RACE!!!!

ìDo you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may winî (1 Cor. 9:24).

ìI have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faithî (2 Tm. 4:7).

Weíre so excited when we first begin a race. But itís usually when we make a mistake that we want to take the first exit. Can I encourage you not to allow fear to come into your lives? Stay on course with what God set before you because itís all about finishing the race. It doesnít matter if you score a trophy that will perish. Paul is saying there is an imperishable trophy that is waiting for you but you canít quit or you will miss it altogether.

Winning is more than taking first place; winning is finishing the race. So no matter what you have been through in life or how many mistakes youíve made, believe that God has a plan for you. Believe in yourself, believe in His road map, and finish the race!

Question 5: What is your race? What must you do to prepare for the race? Also, are there any mistakes youíve made that are holding you back from finishing the race? What are they and why are you allowing them to do so? Cover these in prayer together.

Question 6: What have you learned today that most inspired and encouraged you? How will you change your life today because of this inspiration or encouragement?

 Summarized by Rhonda Pang