Everything we need for living

“Everything we need.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV

Peter wrote, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life” (v. 3 NIV). Living life to the fullest requires three things: (1) A little extra. This is the extra mile principle Jesus taught (see Matthew 5:41), and it calls for two things: (a) Extra effort. Life coach and author Art Williams said, “You beat 50 percent of the people by working hard…the other 40 percent by being a person of honesty and integrity and standing for something…the last 10 percent is a dogfight.” If you want to win, make up your mind to always do “a little extra.” (b) Extra time. “Though [your vision] linger, wait for it; it will certainly come [to pass]” (Habakkuk 2:3 NIV). Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who created the Mount Rushmore memorial to America’s presidents, was asked if he considered his work to be perfect. He replied, “Not today. The nose of President Washington is an inch too long. It’s better that way, though. It will erode and be exactly right in ten thousand years.” (2) Your best effort. Andrew Carnegie said, “There’s no use trying to help people who won’t help themselves. You can’t push anyone up a ladder unless he or she is first willing to climb it.” (3) The right mentor. Paul wrote, “Pattern your lives after mine” (Philippians 3:17 NLT). Good mentors lead by example; they know that to be followed, they must first be respected. They know whether you learn visually or verbally. They know whether you need a pat on the back or a kick in the seat of the pants. If you have such a mentor, you’re blessed. If not, ask God to send one into your life today.

Bible in a year: Ezra 9-10 and Romans 6