Pastor John D Jakes

We live in the age of hyperbole. Maybe it comes in waves (like fashion trends), but I don’t think that we can deny that we see hyperbole everywhere. Advertisers have always used it to create demand, but politicians and pundits have caught the hyperbole bug too. I have yet to hear anyone who is arguing their position say that what they are fighting for is small potatoes in comparison with someone else’s issue. They don’t say, “If we have some extra money, let’s deal with this issue.” No, it is always earth shattering, republic threatening, or life crushing if we don’t do something now, NOW, NOW!!!

We fight over everything and anything. I wonder when we do that if we don’t lose something: real causes. Have we lost our perspective? Are we running after everything, and thus are not truly standing for anything?

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. – 1 Corinthians 2:1 — 2

Paul chose carefully what he focused on. He didn’t mean that he couldn’t talk about other things, or even that he didn’t talk about other things. However, when it came to essentials Paul had made a conscious decision to prioritize: his message was about Jesus. Have you and I done that? Have we made a conscious decision what our life’s message is going to be about?

I think that it is a choice we all either make, or it will be made for us. Either we will choose what our life will be about, or we will live a life of jumping on whatever bandwagon is popular at the time. My choice as a preacher of the gospel is simple: I choose to live in the grace of Jesus and share that grace with others. That is what I stand for. That is my message. What is your message? Is it clear? Do people know your message because you’ve made it clear?

May we all commit to a clear message of our life. I have found that having a clear message and purpose for life is essential. When I let the winds of culture or popularity choose for me, I lack conviction. When I choose, I discover a vitality and passion that moves me even when others don’t stand with me. Then I know what I stand for. It is then that the people in our life also see what is important to us.

Let’s stand for something instead of everything,

Pastor John