Living a values-based life is the key to going from success to significance. Significance is a word that defines masterpiece living, and a word that most of us would say we want to define us. To live at this highest level of living you must be completely clear and absolutely committed to your values. You will only know and prove this to yourself when you face personal challenges. If during a challenge you find that you are drifting from your values or making exceptions so that you can survive the challenge – consider the cost. Getting off of your values will have a direct impact on life lived in significance. It will cause you to veer from masterpiece living. When you are facing challenges remain values-based and strong through them, thus continuing to live life with significance.
Don’t Settle For Survival
Don’t settle for simply surviving a crises or challenge. Let challenging times refine and prove your values. Challenging times, although rarely welcomed, are the perfect time to give clarity to why you have the values you have. Here’s what Jesus’ brother, James, writes about facing challenges: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-5 NIV)
Significance Equals Maturity, Completeness, Lacking Nothing
We often want to escape challenges and trials; in fact you may find that you spend a lot of energy asking God to help you escape a challenge. While the prayer of escape is a legitimate prayer for dealing with temptation it will short cut living life in significance when facing challenges and trials. Notice James says the reason we can consider it joy is that we will become mature – complete – lacking nothing. If I were to ask you if you wanted to be mature, complete and lacking nothing – that is to say a life of significance – you would probably answer with a resounding “yes”. Values-based living will help you stay the course, especially during challenging times.
It is possible to experience challenges and trials and not end up at a place of maturity, complete and lacking nothing. Growth is not a guarantee unless you remain faithful to the values that you have prayerfully and carefully chosen for your Life Palette. The work of perseverance will not be complete this side of heaven, nor will the work of remaining faithful to a values-based life and growth toward a life of significance. But each day you can progress in living beyond success toward significance and ultimately as His masterpiece with His help and strength.
Next Steps For Values-Based Living:
Take James’ advice and make this your prayer today as you face challenges:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5-6 NIV)
