As I write this Word of Challenge, so many thoughts are circling around and through my mind concerning the question, “What has been your most meaningful achievements?”.

There have been so many different opportunities for achievement in my life. This past June marked the celebration of Alisa and my 25th wedding anniversary. Now, that’s a MEANINGFUL achievement for me. Other achievements that stand out for myself could be things like, running the CMT websites, authoring materials for three publishing companies, speaking for conferences and conventions, mentoring many young adults who are now pastors and missionaries, etc… I believe that your list of achievements would be similar in this respect– the items on our lists tend to be achievements that focus on the external instead of the internal.

So, I’d like to challenge you to consider your internal achievements. Throughout everyday life and circumstances, do you reflect the internal growth of a person who is living a ‘new life in Christ?’

As we study scripture, we will quickly discover that God is more interested in what is taking place inside of us than what is taking place on the outside. There are key indicators, such as the Fruit of the Spirit, which show us how we are making meaningful achievements on the inside.

Let’s put this concept of our internal achievements into one short, practical illustration:

Are you experiencing a difficult season in your life or ministry? Do you feel as though you are actively living out the scripture of ‘being hard pressed on all sides?’ Though tough times come to all of us, what is so vitally important is our response. We already know what to do, so let’s do it.

1 – We place our cares into our Heavenly Fathers hands.

2 – We rest and walk in peace.

3 – We remain steadfast and patient.

4 – We proclaim God’s goodness as we triumph through or over the situation.

Christ told us that we will do great things in this world. One of the greatest things you can do is be a witness of God’s goodness to those around you. Show others that, even in the most difficult of circumstances, there is a God who gives you strength, peace, and grace.

When others can see Christ being lived out from within your life, then you truly have accomplished a “Meaningful Achievement!”

Rev. Gary R. Linn