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The Victoria College. Full-time salaried position with benefits available...
DISTRICT "Champions for Community Wellness" has the following positions...
How many times have you heard someone say, “Wow, that dress (or suit or hairdo or whatever) really brings out the best in you?”
We hear that a lot. I’m sure you have said it yourself, as I have. We all want to look and feel and be our best – and there are a lot of people around to help us reach that goal. You can watch television programs that will help you choose the clothes, hairstyle, and other things that will help you look your best. And there are plenty of experts who will help you eat right and exercise so you’ll feel your best.
That takes care of looking and feeling your best. But what about being your best? I’m talking about what’s on the inside – the stuff in your heart, mind, and spirit that makes you who you really are. That’s an entirely different story, because we can’t layer, paint, eat, or sweat enough to bring out the best that’s on the inside.
So here’s a thought I want you to take with you from our time together today: only God can bring forth the best you that’s on the inside of you.
Let me illustrate what I mean with a story from the Bible, and then offer a couple of thoughts on how you can begin to make the exhilarating discovery that the God who made you who you are, also wants to help you become the person you were made to be.
The story is found in the Gospel of John, specifically John 1:43-51. The man I want you to meet is named Nathanael, one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples. One thing I like about Nathanael is that he’s just an ordinary person, like most of us. But Nathanael had a special quality on the inside that Jesus wanted to call forth. So when Philip, another disciple, brought Nathanael to meet Jesus, the Lord said of Nathanael, “Here is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false.”
Nathanael was amazed by Jesus’ statement, because the two of them had never met before. But that’s just the point I want to make. Because Jesus is God, He was able to look into this man’s heart and soul and see what he was really made of – and then call forth that quality of integrity, which was the essence of Nathanael’s character.
You might be saying to yourself, “That’s fine for Nathanael, but what about me?” OK, let’s talk about it. Here are three thoughts I hope you’ll consider.
First, because God created you, only He knows fully what’s on the inside of you and what it takes to bring out your best. Second, God will not force His way into your life. He wants to have a relationship with you through Jesus Christ, but you have to invite Him into your life. Third, like Nathanael, you will discover your best when you follow God’s plan and purpose for your life. And that is the most exciting adventure you will ever have.
Pastor Jim Graff is the Senior Pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria, Texas. www.faithfamilyvictoria.com