Life I to Life II: Success to Significance

Blessed New Year and a belated Christmas! Trust that you are excited about the new year and what's in store for 2013.

I am reading a book by Bob Buford (Finishing Well: The Adventure of Life Beyond Halftime) and a quote struck me which is a good reminder as we once again gear ourselves towards the new year.

"I have no problem with money, power, fame, or status—as long as they’re treated as resources, rather than as goals in themselves. But that’s precisely the problem for most people—and why? It’s so hard for people to answer the question “how much is enough?” If acquiring money or fame is your goal, how do you know when you have enough? Everyone I know who has a little wants more. But everyone i know who has a lot also wants more." 

Tom Morris

In the overall idea of half-time (Buford proposed that we divide our lives into Life I and Life II, with the 40th year as a good transition point), we move from a success mindset to a significant mindset. He defined it this way:

Success commonly means using your knowledge and experience to satisfy yourself with fame and fortune. Significance, however, means using the same knowledge and experience to serve others—that is, to change lives. The outcome defines the difference and changes your attitude toward what you do.

If you are like me living in Life II, I think life can be more exciting when we live it to serve others. Think about that!

The "One Another" Principle

Doing nice things to each other must be something difficult and not the fleshly norm. That's why Apostle Paul writes about it frequently. These are exhortations given to Christians and for good reasons too!

Jesus Himself commanded the same. John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

Loving one another will be a hallmark of the new Christian faith and this will stand out the definitive mark of the Christian community. 

I. Positive Statements from Apostle Paul

1. Romans 12:5 - we are members of one another (KJV) (Ephesians 4:25)
2. Romans 12:10 - be devoted to one another 
3. Romans 12:10 - honour one another above yourselves
4. Romans 12:16 - live in harmony with one another (NIV)/be of the same mind one toward another (KJV) (Romans 15:5) 
5. Romans 13:8 - love one another (1 Thes 3:12; 4:9; 2 Thes 1:3)
6. Romans 14:19 - edify one another (ASV) (1 Thes 5:11- encourage one another)
7. Romans 15:7 - accept one another
8. Romans 15:14 - instruct/admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
9. Romans 16:16 - greet one another (1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12)
10. 1 Cor 11:33 - wait for one another
11. 1 Cor 12:25 - care for one another (KJV)
12. Galatians 5:13 - serve one another
13. Galatians 6:2 - bear burdens of one another (KJV)
14. Ephesians 4:2 - forbearing one another in love (Colossians 3:13)
15. Ephesians 4:32 - be kind and compassionate to one another
16. Ephesians 4:32 - forgive one another (KJV) (Colossians 3:13)
17. Ephesians 5:21 - submit to one another
18. Philippians 2:3 - regard one another as more important than yourselves
19. Colossians 3:16 - teach one another
20. 1 Thes 4:18 - comfort one another (KJV)
21. 1 Thes 5:11 - encourage one another/build each other up
22. 1 Thes 5:13 - live in peace with one another
23. 1 Thes 5:15 - be kind to one another

II. Negative Statements from Apostle Paul

1. Romans 14:13 - don't judge one another
2. 1 Cor 6:7 - don't have lawsuits with one another
3. Galatians 5:15 - don't bite and devour one another
4. Galatians 5:15 - don't destroy one another
5. Galatians 5:26 - don't provoke one another
6. Galatians 5:26 - don't envy one another
7. Colossians 3:9 - don't lie to one another
8. Titus 3:3 - don't hate one another

III.   Summary

1. 23 different positive statements
2. 8 different negative statements
3. Total of 31 different statements (plus 11 duplicate references)

Note: All references in NIV unless indicated.

One shot and one chance in their life!

I made this status update on my facebook this week: Make time for your family! We wonly have one shot and one chance at every milestone of their life! We miss it, it's gone!

We are always on our annual family trip somewhere. This year it is in a relatively unknown spot in Thailand called Hua Hin. Apparently it is Thailand's royal beach resort, less known than the popular Phuket or Samui. Our annual trip has been a tradition kept for many years now, whether it is a local one, or overseas. When the children were younger, it was much more challenging as the packing list was longer. Now that they are much older, their packing list is their own although still with some input from mum. We still treat them as little kids at times (told them they will always be fifteen or younger in our hearts and minds) and still irritating them with a barrage of reminders.

I suppose in our hearts, they will always remain young, that they never grew up. I know it's totally unfair to them but we will always be watching out for them but hopefully learning to let go and letting them take responsibility over their own actions and life. It will certainly be hard to let go, but we know we need to. At my age now, my parents are still as concern as they were of me when I was young. That's the beauty of family I suppose but hopefully we will not choke them to tears.

Our boys are now between 15 and 22! We have to learn to start letting go. I shared in my sermon last month that with my eldest son, he has shown me the signs that I am looking for where I can say with an amount of certainty and peace that I can let him go as he has learnt to take responsibility over his own actions. He will not blame anyone else or the things that happen in his life but to adopt a great attitude of learning from them and be thankful in all circumstances.

Interestingly after that, my youngest son with his usual wit asked me whether he has shown any of the sign I mentioned. I told him definitely not at this point in his life! He needs time to grow. While they are growing up, let's not miss out on the milestones of their life. We can never turn back the clock at each of these milestones but to treasure them and never to miss out on them. They certainly grow too fast for us to catch up. Make time nevertheless where we can and never stop telling them how much you love them! I have known men who in the latter years when they have time for their children, they (the children) no longer are interested. What a sad picture! Catch the moments now!