Be Better

“I press (strive) toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

I was a young boy at the age of 13 when the Lord called me into ministry. I began ministry at the age of 21. I was married at the age of 22. We had our first child at the age of 23 and now our second child at the age of 27. God has been good to me and my family, but I know my life isn’t finished.

Paul in Philippians 3:14 said, “I press on toward the high calling of Christ Jesus.” Some other translations say, “I strive toward…” Paul never reached a point in his ministry where he claimed to know it all. Paul said his better days were ahead of him.

My better days are ahead of me. My families’ better days are ahead of us. Our ministry’s greatest days are ahead of us, but one thing we need to recognize is that in order to get to greater and better things, you must first go through some stuff.

There was no need for Paul to press unless there was something in front of him trying to push him back. Paul always wanted to be better, gain more knowledge, and win more people for the Kingdom…and so should we.

A prayer that I pray every single day is, “Lord, make me into a great husband, father, and student pastor. (in that order)” You see, I want to be better and continue to become better, because the moment I stop becoming better, then I will eventually die. There is always room for becoming a better person…a better co-worker…a better spouse…a better preacher…a better learner…a better YOU!

As you go through life, you will always meet people who play the blame game, kind of like David’s brother, Eliab, before he went to defeat Goliath. Eliab, in other words, told his younger brother David, “I know who you are. I saw you when you were potty training. I saw you when you fell off of your first bicycle without wheels. You are a failure, David! You can’t defeat Goliath! What are you thinking?!?! You are a disgrace to the family!” But David knew who was in the Lord.

You becoming better is not something you will find in a book, or paying more money for with a doctor to get a prescription. The better you is not found in a book by Joel Olsteen with eight simple steps to become a better you. A better you is only found in the deep heart of God. Do you want to be a better husband? Then submit to the Lord and get on your knees and ask God to help you become a better husband. Do you want to become a better father? Then listen to the heart of the greatest Father and get alone with him, Dad. One on one. Heavenly Father with Earthly Father. Do you want to become a better pastor, student pastor, music pastor, children’s pastor, laity? Then empty yourself completely of yourself and get so full of God to where there is nothing in you other than Jesus.

Your walk in the flesh is only as deep as your devotion with God. God is for you. He wants you to succeed in every area of your life. He loves you with an everlasting love and His mercies are new every morning. It’s never too late to start over as a husband, father, or student pastor. God meets you right where you are and will never leave you nor forsake you. Put down the phone. Leave work at work and get alone with your Creator. Because your family, your ministry, and your life depends on it.