10 Ways To Live YOUR Best Life

I often feel like I’m looking up. . .

Instagram feeds of beautiful pictures. . . the family exploring the world, the design-savvy mom who just redid her bedroom, the successful author speaking in front of thousands of women again this weekend.

I’m watching their ride. It seems glamorous and exciting. I’m not quite sure if I’m not up there with them because. . .

I’m not good enough. . .

I’ve not worked hard enough. . .

I’m not cool enough. . .

God doesn’t trust me enough. . .

The questions loom as I stare into the beauty of the lives of others.

It’s not that being down here is miserable. I love the view. It’s inspiring to see so many people doing amazing things. It’s actually a breathtaking sight to look up and see the beauty of their lives making the world go round.

But what of my life? Do I belong here watching, observing? Or do I belong up there, doing?

And what of YOUR life? Do you also feel as though you are watching more than doing?

The danger of watching the life of another is the trap of believing we are missing out because ours does not look the same. It is a natural tension to observe the beauty all around us and wonder where we fit into it. But somewhere there is an unwritten hierarchy that we’ve all come to accept. This thing is more important than that. That work is more influential than this.

There are people called to do things that seem big and influential and there are those called to do things that seem smaller and simpler. Which is the better work? How could we possibly know?

We see it in the story of Mary and Martha when Jesus responds to Martha’s busyness with these words, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

As we observe the works of those around us {and this is not to belittle their important work}, we must keep in mind that much of that work is man made. Yes, we do it with the right intent to build the kingdom but Jesus said, long ago, the only thing that truly matters is to be with him, to know him.

This doesn’t mean we abandon all ministry and service attempts but it does put things into perspective, doesn’t it? It doesn’t matter near as much as we think it does. What matters is that we know him and we understand his heart for us and how he wants to use us. Big or small we must choose what is better.

10 Ways To Live YOUR Best Life {aka, choose what is better. . .}

1. Keep looking up. Because it’s beautiful. Because those that seem to be “above” us have a lot to teach us. And when we are looking up to those we admire, we cannot forget the One who sits higher than any other. He knows our name. He’s written passions and desires on our hearts. He will lead us.

2. Be inspired. We can let social media deflate us or we can let it inspire us. Let’s put on our positive pants and begin to see it all as an inspiration instead of a measuring stick. There are some amazing people that simply have a gift for doing and presenting amazing things. We may never attain their level or perfection but we can have fun trying!

3. Be yourself. We are incredible, uniquely made, daughters of the King. He made us perfectly, just the way he saw fit to carry out his divine plan. The only way we are missing out is by being less than ourselves.

4. Crush fear. I say it over and over in my books, faith and fear cannot dwell in the same place. We must crush it. We must remove it. Fear just might be the number one thing keeping people from living their best life. Fear of rejection. Fear of failing. Fear of being less than. His perfect love casts out all fear {1 John 4:18} – when we live in his perfect love, we will not fear.

5. Just do it. That thing we keep saying we are going to do. . .remove the obstacles. . .stop the excuses. Just do it. Start. There is a phenomenal movement going on in the business and ministry world encouraging people to get off their tired and fearful butts and just start. Ditto.

6. Don’t compare. We are not missing out. We are not called to what they are called to. We are God’s masterpiece. . .created to do the work he prepared for US in advance to do {Ephesians 2:10}.  Again, the only way we are missing out is by being less than ourselves. We miss out when we spend our energy comparing our lives to others instead of living our best life.

7. Use God’s measuring stick. Not the world’s. Not Pinterest’s. Not Facebook’s. The only way to truly know if we are living the life God planned for us {long ago} is to ask him. We can use prayer and the Word to check our progress and our effectiveness.

8. Find YOUR people. The older I get, the more I am aware of who “my people’ are. I may look up to a group of people and desire to know them but often times, once I get in there, I realize they are just not “my people.” Much like we used to get caught up in the desire to be a part of the “popular crowd” in high school, as adults, we fall into the same trap of thinking we need certain people in our lives to be successful. The truth is, we do need certain people in our lives. But it’s probably not those people. It’s our people. “YOUR” people are the ones you feel most comfortable with. Those you can be yourself with. Those that inspire and challenge you in a healthy, life-giving way. You’ll know it when you find YOUR people. You’ll just know. It’s that simple.

9. Regularly reassess. Any successful process involves regular reassessment. What needs to change in this season? What needs to be added? Subtracted? What relationships need mending or investment? When we regularly reassess where we are and where we are going, we will continue to walk successfully in the plans God has for us.

10. Find contentment. Notice I didn’t say, “be content”? Because it’s not that simple. I know it. We must work to find contentment within our hearts. We must work to be at peace with where he has us. We cannot live our best life without being content with the life God’s given us. The best way to find contentment is to practice gratitude. A thankful heart breeds contentment.

Your best life will look so very different from mine and that is the wonderful, beautiful mystery of God’s divine plan. Let’s embrace it and see where he takes us.

After some prayer and careful consideration, I’ve determined that my best life looks like this. . .

It’s simple. It’s moving at a good pace but it doesn’t get ahead of me. It keeps my family first with faith as our guide. It leaves room for lots of extended family time as we build a legacy of generations. It includes ministry work that allows me to reach out to and serve others while doing something creative. It is fueled by faith, not fear. It keeps my marriage a priority with regular time to serve and connect with my husband. It allows time for me to be available to my children and their friends, whenever they need me. It makes friendship a priority, allowing me time to serve and connect with the women God has blessed me to walk with. It may not include great riches here on earth but with good habits and diligence it allows us to be comfortable while remaining very generous with our resources. It does not include things {houses and cars, etc} that will overshadow our priorities or cause extra work. It affords us the ability to travel the incredible world God created to introduce our children to different cultures and spend time serving God’s people in many nations. It never allows busyness or stress to get in the way of loving those around us. It is fueled by joy and grounded with contentment. It may not be glamorous, but it’s the life God’s called me to.

How about you? What does your best life look like? We would be honored if you’d take a minute to think/pray about it and share it here.