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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Inner Person (09/09/10)
How do you feel about your life? Many of us are so busy living life that taking time to reflect how we feel may be humorous. Are there times during the day when you’re irritable or frustrated and don’t know why? Or perhaps you’re sad and wonder if there’s a reason you feel down when things actually seem to be going fairly well. Sometimes I feel emotions that don’t match the situation because there’s something more complex I haven’t noticed, or I don’t have much insight.
Our culture suggests what makes our life full, yet is it what gives us purpose and happiness? Many goals focus on making money and buying things. But does that make us happy? It might for a moment, yet what about our inner most happiness? In this chapter we will look at our goals and see if we are meeting those goals.

How do you feel when you are running from one task to another and at the end of the day? Are you exhausted? Did you take time for a break? Did these activities lead you to love God, your neighbor and yourself?

At the end of the day, could you see how you helped another or were drawn closer to Jesus in some way? Sometimes at the day’s end I write down what I did and am amazed at what I was able to accomplish with Jesus’ help. I helped someone with a doctor’s appointment or cleaned my place so I could relax when I came home.

Journaling helps me focus on Jesus and prayer. When you reflect on your day, you also might be surprised to discover how you helped people in your family, at work, or community. It’s very satisfying to look back on the day and see all the things you accomplished. That you made a difference that day.

How do you feel about your job or your main focus during the day? Are you doing something helpful, and do you have a sense of purpose in life? No matter what you do, you can make it a ministry. Every time you offer a smile or greet a customer or fellow employee with respect, you are showing the light of Jesus. Every time you forgive someone who made a mistake, you are ministering to others. I think we have misguided understanding of ministry. There are many different kinds. Some are social service ministries where we care for others with physical, emotional or spiritual needs in a very focused way. There are ministries where a person preaches and uses the Bible as their focus. Sometimes I think those are the only ministries people think of. I have been in a restaurant when I was having a bad day and a waitress smiled and seem glad to see me. It would make my day. What if she had been grumpy or cold? I would not have felt welcome. That is a ministry. You can work in a factory and provide profound ministry by the way you treat others. Is your life a ministry?

I see my life as an imaginary book. Each day I add a page regarding how I have shown love and met Jesus. It even points out my weaknesses and the times I need forgiveness. It’s all there. When my time comes to see Jesus, I will give Him my book and say, “Jesus, You have given me many gifts and blessings during my life; this is my gift to You.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/17/10
You have some excellent advice. I enjoyed the part where you shared what helps you the most. I found I wanted to know more about you.
Mildred Sheldon
09/18/10
Beautifully written and right on point. What better way to truly know yourself except by self examination. Thank you and God bless.
Christina Banks
09/21/10
I like how you reminded us that we can minister to others on a daily basis. Since you talk about a chapter, I'm wondering if this is a piece of a bigger work. Just curious.