This year instead of a new years resolution I went with a new year’s goal. My goal is to not be ok with being ok in all areas of my life. He led me to hold all aspects of my life to a higher standard and the bar is high, really high. He wants me to be holy. To be holy means set apart for God’s purpose.
Holiness is a goal for me because I am his. I am in a relationship with Christ and he knows me and I strive to know him. In scripture he asks me to pursue holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 says “but just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
To help me pursue holiness I ask myself these questions: Is my relationship with God “ok” or is it vibrant and growing? Is my relationship with my spouse “ok” or is it set apart to bring glory to his name? Am I parenting in such a way that my children are drawn to the holiness of God? Do I serve my church in a way that is set apart and filled with faith and truth? Can I improve my physical disciplines to change my body to be healthy and serve the kingdom in the best possible way? When I am at work am I so different from the world that it causes others to notice? I will never be able to answer yes to all of these questions, but the point is I am to pursue holiness in all I do.
All is a big word, especially when it applies to holiness. But, I am not discouraged. I am not left alone to make myself holy. Hebrews 10:10 says that “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” So, despite the fact that I am incapable of making myself holy, Jesus’ act on the cross accomplished that for me. However, I am to pursue holiness. I know that most of the time I resist or ignore his call for holiness in all areas of my life. However, if I continue to just be “ok” with being “ok” then I am not allowing God to make me holy. While being holy in all areas is a little intimidating to me, I am aware that the process of being made holy is the point.
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Amy
I love this! We have become so content with “ok” that when we see others striving for the righteousness that God has called us to we call them names and make fun. Thank you for sharing this word, it was a wonderful reminder, for me, that I must continue to strive for greater and never settle for “ok”!
Thanks so much for your comment! So far I’ve learned that being “ok” was easy. Pursing holiness has been hard, but so worth it! It has made me celebrate the grace He has given us SO much more.