Life is the form of existence that distinguishes organic from inorganic substances. It has been defined by scientists as the characteristic state of being that is not dead. It is the period during which someone remains active and effective.
The Book of James is regarded as both practical and ethical. James wrote it to emphasise duty over doctrine and to rebuke the shameful neglect of certain Christian responsibilities. He focuses solely on the characteristics of worldliness and the sin of presumption—the belief that you, rather than God, are in control of the circumstances of life. He likens this attitude to boasting.
Your perspective on life determines your destiny. It influences how you invest your time, spend money, use talents, and value relationships. If you view life as a party, your main focus will be having fun; if you see it as a race, speed will be your priority; if you view it as a marathon, endurance will be key; and if you think of it as a battle or game, winning will be your goal.
What view do you hold? The best approach is to allow the Word of God to transform and shape you inwardly through a complete overhaul of your mind, rather than conforming to the standards of this world. Life will test you on how you work, and when you understand this, nothing will ever seem insignificant, as every second becomes an opportunity to cultivate your character.
Your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather reveals much about your potential and what you are made of. How you treat others contributes to your overall score before God, who is the silent listener to every conversation and the unseen guest in every situation.
First, life is a trust. Our time on earth, energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God. The earth and all who live in it belong to Him. At the end of your life, you will be evaluated and rewarded based on how well you handled the gifts He entrusted to you.Second, life is temporary. The Bible describes life as a mist. The brevity and uncertainty of life should prevent us from placing our affections on earthly things and lead us to focus on things unseen and eternal. We are pilgrims, foreigners, strangers, and visitors on earth.
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Define your goals
Third, stay motivated. Capability alone is not enough; you must be strongly motivated, which creates a sense of urgency. Those who have impacted lives were not necessarily gifted, but were motivated – "a fire that needs to be continually fueled."
Fourth, stay focused. A clear, single-minded approach to the matter you want to tackle is vital to achieving your goal. You must remove any obstacles to your success. As Dennis Whitley says, “The secret to productive goal setting is in establishing clearly defined goals, writing them down, and then focusing on them several times a day with words, pictures, and emotions as if we have already achieved them.”
Fifth, cultivate self-discipline. Disciplining yourself to work towards your goals helps you break old, disempowering habits and create new, empowering ones. There is an appropriate time to eat, play, and work; a season for everything under the sun.
Sixth, have a strong belief system. What you believe in dictates what you become in life. Beliefs are the building blocks for a successful life as they determine your actions and emotions.
Seven, make decisions based on correct perceptions. You can make wrong decisions based on incorrect perceptions. For example, if you believe that ba usiness cannot thrive in a particular location, regardless of its strategic advantages, you may avoid it and miss out on the potential profits that could have been made.
Eighth, know the truth and accept it. The Bible declares that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
As you strive to build a proper perspective on life, learn to address the needs you observe around you. Success and the ability to uplift others are marked by numerous opportunities to meet people's needs.
Bishop Muriithi Founder & Overseer, House of Grace International Ministries
