12 Life Convictions to Live By

Today is my 45th birthday, and the perspective that comes with getting older is quite clarifying.  And we desperately need clarity if we are going to live lives of meaning, significance, and impact.

I’ve been through a lot and learned even more in my 45 years, and I’ve crystallized those lessons into 12 life convictions that guide my approach to life.  These are the convictions I want to pass on to my daughter, and I would like to share them with you too.  I also encourage you (if you haven’t) to write down your own life convictions that shape who you are and who you want to be.  Trust me, the clarity you will gain from doing it is worth the effort.

My Life Convictions

1. God created every human being in his spiritual image to live in close communion with him.
2. Jesus Christ is the hope of the world because he has the power and will to forgive our sins, heal our wounds, and redeem our suffering.
3. The Bible is God’s Word to humanity that reveals God’s character, our purpose, and life’s meaning.
4. My wife and daughter are gifts from God and should be treated as such.
5. God blesses us so that we can bless others.  A life of service and giving is a life filled with contentment and joy.
6. Success is best measured by fulfillment.  You are only successful when what you are doing is satisfying and gratifying.  Successful people are happy with who they are and what they are doing.  Success cannot be measured by money and things – only by the joy you receive and the positive impact you make along the journey.
7. Big achievements come with small steps.  Being faithful in the “little” things prepares you for “bigger” things.
8. Always take responsibility for your life.  While you cannot control everything that happens to you in life, you can control how you respond to what happens to you.
9. Treat others with respect and you will be respected; be a friend and you will have friends.
10. Laugh often and you will enjoy life more.  Laugh at yourself and with others.
11. God rewards hard work and also prescribes rest.  Work hard at whatever you do, but not so hard that you miss out on what makes life worth living – relationships, beauty, serving, ministry, and enjoying God’s blessings.
12. God desires that Christians shine like stars.  Stand out from the crowd by having a character that is formed by faith in God, by doing your best in all that you do as your worship to God, and by encouraging others with the love of Christ.