Don't Waste Your Life

Today I started a book by John Piper called "Don't Waste Your Life". I have only read one chapter, but the lesson in this book hit me hard. Too often I become so wrapped up in my earthly life that I forget the real reason I was placed here. I tend to look forward to so many things in this life, whether it be family changes, getting older, finishing college, starting a career, getting married, having children. I have always been one to not desire much excitement from life. I would be perfectly happy with my Lord, my family, and just living everyday like my blog title says: "Where the Trees Stand Still." However, often I overlook God calling me to be a witness for Him, to be what we have been called to be...salt and light. I think to myself sometimes, "This is my life. We only have one life, so shouldn't I enjoy myself and do what will make me happy?" I couldn't be more wrong in my thinking. God has not called us to a life of complacency. In fact He said that our life as Christians is no longer our own. Sure we can live for ourselves...but not if we want to be Christ followers. God said whoever wants to keep his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Christ's sake will find it.
Some measure success by the amount of money accumulated over the years, the status attained in their workplace, or the many lands they travelled to. For the Christian we have a much higher calling...to impact the world with the Gospel...to change lives through the message Christ entrusted us with. What higher calling is there than to be used by God? But we too often choose the other path. We choose our own selfish desires over the desires of God. More than anything I desire at the last day to be told..."Well done, good and faithful servant." A servant does not live life for themselves. They do not live pursuing pleasure or fame. They do not strive after their own desires. They are to live for one greater than they. The servant of God must not waste his life.