Without the ability to measure, it would be nonsensical and absurd to value anything. Our life is God’s good gift to us. In His grace, we are saved by our Savior; in His blood we become righteous.
Here I list out seven ways or elements for you and me to measure our life. So that, we may lead a balance life, or in the least, a better life in the eyes of the Lord. And in the hope of sustaining our earthly life in the face of happiness and adversities:
1. Measure your life by your JOY regardless of life’s circumstances.
By definition, joy is the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It can be permanent unlike happiness which depends on circumstances.
Joy is beyond facial expression of smiling and laughing. It is because laughing and smiling can be superficial. We are created to enjoy humor. Too much humor can leave us more empty than before.
The joy of the Lord transient all forms of happiness. For the joy of the Lord is our strength. Measure your life by the joy if you have in Jesus Christ. A spirit-filled joy or spiritual joy is permanent. We are made complete in His joy. (John 15:11)
2. Measure your life by your HOPE in the Lord.
Hope is an expectation and desire for something to happen; in our favor or as it was promised. It is clinging onto something which we did not have, yet in the hope that it will happen.
Our hope is something that cannot be dead. A person without hope would eventually give up life. It is our believe that something good or bad is going to happen in the future. It might happen per our dream or maybe not.
Anyone who is among the living has hope. (Eccl. 9:4) It is an important element for waiting on the promises of God. In His great mercy, we are given birth to a living hope in the resurrection of Christ. (1 Peter 1:3)
3. Measure your life by your FAITH.
Faith is the essence of Christian life. Faith, more importantly, is putting our complete trust in God. By faith we are saved; by faith we become His children.
Faith and fear cannot go along. Measure your faith by your assurance in Jesus Christ. Faith is the assurance that when fear grips, illness strikes, misunderstood, opposed, and in every circumstances: Jesus is with you.
Measure your life by your initiative through faith, your vision, and ability to fight the good fight. Faith is trusting on God’s perfect timing. (Mark 4:40)
4.Measure your life by your COMMUNION.
We commune with God through prayers. When you commune with Him make sure you hear Him back. We cannot carry on by simply offering sacrifices. God wanted to commune with us, I repeat.
Measure your life by how often you commune with God. Your communion qualifies you to experience the presence of God in your lives.
No one’s life is greater than his prayer. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)
5. Measure your life by your INVESTMENTS.
Investment is a process of undertaking certain things with the expectation of a worthwhile result or to be profitable. Not only money can be invested.
Our life on earth is an investment. We will reap some of our investments already on earth. But the biggest reward is awaiting us after life. You can invest righteousness, kindness, love, good deeds, and tears for your future.
You can invest your wealth, wisdom, and time for your children because they are your future. God cannot be mocked nor bribed. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7)
6. Measure your life by your LOVE.
Love is the most important essences of life. What you and whom do you love define your living. Love someone who loves you, and even your enemies, say the Bible.
Do you love something that deters happiness from your life? Love all the people around you. Most important is, Love God, no matter what. We can love God because he first loved us. In Him, love is completed.
Love given reflects love received. Jesus gives us a new command: Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34)
7. Measure your life by your amount of SURRENDER.
Surrendering is to stop resisting and submit to an authority. If the authority of your life is Jesus Christ it means surrendering to Christ. It is to give up your right for Him, to mold you.
In other words, it is to crucify our will before the Lord. Surrendering to the Lord could be dangerous, at times, but always worthwhile. The power of surrender/ crucifixion is peace and reconciliation. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)
The more you surrender you will have peace with God, which will reflect in your life. In that way, our owner becomes Him. (Galatians 2:20)
Please add more to your list…..
Very true and good food for thought in our New Year.
Thank you! Have a blessed year ahead!