Living With Purpose

In my personal experience, along with conversations with other writers and authors, there seems to be a love-hate relationship with those who edit your manuscripts. Editing involves copy style, punctuation, and grammatical errors. But when a writer finishes a manuscript it seems to them the perfect story; the research is thorough, the lead is catching, and the quotes keep you engaged. A literary work is an accomplishment and there’s a certain amount of pride that’s involved. Much like any personal endeavor—our pride is sometimes a defense of what’s important to us. We naturally want to protect the things that are most special.
For the author, when the story is edited, there are changes, sometimes big changes. Writers are always having their words chipped away. It’s a refining process that requires humbleness and a willingness to change for the better. A great story in your eyes becomes an even better story in the eyes of others.
Many times we think we know what’s best. We sometimes even neglect truth because we allow our wants to overcome us. “The steps of a good man or woman are led by the Lord. And they are happy in their way” (Psalm 37:23). God-led steps are ordered by the Lord. Has God told you to change your direction? Has he told you to stop or change your way of thinking about a particular circumstance? If we’re wise, we will step back, humble ourselves, and give way to the all-powerful Spirit of God. He can help purge the flaws and add what’s needed. Corrections, imperfections, no matter what they are, will enable you to become better parents, husbands, wives, better friends, and ultimately, better Christians. It’s not without pain and difficulty. Pride can get involved and maybe shame too. We mustn’t let our ignorance keep us from gaining what God has in store for us.
Outside Christ, no one will ever achieve perfection, and a judgmental attitude toward others pushes us further from expressing God’s love. So don’t try to fool others, yourselves, or even pull the wool over God’s eyes. God sees the things in our lives that need chipping away.
No matter how hard you try, you will never please everyone, even the ones you love. But why not allow God to round off your rough edges and allow Him to do something about it. Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I will do a new thing. It will begin happening now. I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Something new and improved maybe needed in your life. Why not review and renew your own commitment to Christ? Maybe you need a “New Hope”. Perhaps you’ve been hoping in temporal things like money, cars, trucks, houses, or property. There’s nothing of these things that will last forever. It’s a fact, earthly possessions will eventually be gone, but God’s Spiritual blessings never decrease in value and last forever. The Bible says, “Hope in God and praise Him” (Psalm 42:5). When all else fails or comes to naught, God offers hope to those low in Spirit.
To correct yourself, a “New Faith” is needed. Do you remember when the disciples ask Jesus to “increase their faith” (Luke 17:5). If you never exercise faith in God, if you never trust in God for help, and if you try relying solely on your own or others, you will become stagnate and you’ll wonder why happiness is hard to find. Our faith must be exercised and renewed every day. This makes life exciting because there’s always a great expectation to see God work in you. New Faith can be yours for the asking (1 John 5:4).
As God chips away and attempts to make your rough edges smoother, a “New Love” can be born. Don’t let your love for God and others grow cold because bad or sad things happen. These things are not God’s fault; they’re because of sin and evil. Something new is needed in your life and everyone needs to be revived occasionally.
Three qualities are vital to the Christian life: A fresh hope, a stronger faith, and a greater love. God offers us all three. What must you do to obtain them? First, believe and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). Accept the editing process in your life when you know it’s needed and can make you better and not bitter. Ask God for patience and for wisdom to discern His direction in your present circumstances and then go forward with Him and for Him. This can change the pattern of your history. Walk with God; for the steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord.
• This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He’s the author of the “Living With Purpose” book series, “TBH The Truth Will Set You Free”, and “Running With Purpose”. Matt can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org.