In one of my Bible study classes, we are using a book by Dr. David Jeremiah as a study guide. It is called “Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World.”

I’ll admit that it offers quite a challenge. He offers different actions we might choose as we try to live as God would have us live. Very cleverly, he has used all words that begin with the letter “C”.

As an example, he began with “Stay Calm” and moved on to “Stay Compassionate”.

I guess after viewing the video, reading the chapters and discussing them, I found myself understanding the explanations provided and challenges raised.

When we reached the chapter on “Stay Constructive”, I’ll admit I was a bit confused. What could this have to do with living a faith-filled life, I wondered?

I’m not sure I have still grasped this concept but in my mind being ‘constructive’ would mean that we would work to ‘build up’ rather than to ‘tear down’. Being a member of a church is like being a member of a family and while there might be differences of opinions on occasion, the need to unite and build a true family of believers is essential…at least in my opinion.

It is very easy to ‘tear down’ an idea, a concept, and a project because we don’t agree with something. It is much harder to ‘build’ and sometimes I get the feeling that when something is ‘wrecked’ it is a total loss and what ‘was’ cannot be rebuilt and a great loss ensues.

I’ll admit that it is sometimes easier to ‘tear down’ than to ‘build up’, but if we examine our hearts and ask ourselves, “What does God require of us?” then perhaps the choice to ‘build up’ will be the option that reflects God’s calling.

We have quite a lot of chapters still to cover, but I’d like to share a few ideas from one other chapter with you.

The chapter that has really caught my interest is one called “Stay Challenged.”

I wondered just what in life was it that offered me ‘challenges’? I found myself moved by the two stories that were related in this chapter that told of individuals who gave their ‘all’…one actually died that others might live.

It is suggested that we think about what challenges us or inspires us. And the one word used quite a bit is ‘diligence’. So, naturally, I got out some of my reference books to ascertain some meanings of that word. I found the following, “busy, active, steadfast, careful, earnest, hardworking, constancy, persevering, untiring, patient, zealous, thorough, persistent, and commitment.”

Now that is quite a long list, but as I read through this list, I found myself thinking, “You know what? Each and every one of these words seems to suggest that we do need commitment, but we also need to follow through. We need to ‘keep on keeping on’ even in the face of adversity.

I believe that each of us have been blessed with different gifts and abilities. I love music but I can’t play an instrument and while I like to sing in church, I would make a terrible member of the choir.

But I have other gifts, and as I consider trying to follow Dr. Jeremiah’s idea of ‘challenge’, I think what is being asked of me is whether or not I am diligent in using what gifts I have been given to the glory of God and for the betterment of His people.

I am going to make a guess and suggest that if all members of churches were ‘diligent’ and used the gifts they possessed, great things would happen. Churches would grow, good works would multiply, and the needs of those reaching out for help would be met, and there would also be ways to share God’s message and God’s love. Lives would be changed.

I am going to suggest that in this week, we look carefully at our own life and ask the question, “What gifts has God blessed me with?” And then, “Am I working diligently to incorporate these gifts into my life that by so doing, I honor God and touch the lives of others?”