3 Tips to Live Greater

You’ve lived a quiet life.  You’ve done what was expected of you.  You’ve had a career.  You’ve had children.  You may even have grandchildren now.  You love the Lord and attend church.  You drive a safe car and live a comfortable life.  But have you lived GREATER?

GREATER means “unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity; first-rate.”

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she begins to think about her life’s impact on future generations.  We begin to regret the business or ministry ventures we didn’t pursue, the foods we refused to sample, the vacations we didn’t plan, and the chances we didn’t take because of fear.  I began to think about these things after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Are you living GREATER, or are you living mediocre?

Is the fruit of your life considerable in degree, power, and intensity?  Are they first-rate?

If not, why not?

We come up with excuses ALL the time.  We’re too tired, too sick, and too old.  We don’t have time or the finances to pursue the business we’ve dreamed of pursuing.  Some of you think you’re too young or don’t have the necessary qualifications to Live GREATER.

These excuses lead us to live MEDIOCRE lives instead of GREATER lives.

What’s a GREATER life?  It’s one that rises above its circumstances.  The greater life doesn’t allow adversities to dictate its joy or obedience to God.  Joseph is a perfect example of living GREATER (Genesis 39-40).

He was sold into slavery by his brothers, lied on, and thrown in prison for a crime he didn’t commit; Joseph could have resigned himself to a bitter life, simply accepting what life threw at him.  But he didn’t.

Joseph made the best of his circumstances, even capitalizing on the opportunities presented to him.  We can learn a lot from brother Joseph about how to Live Greater.

Live GREATER – In the Midst Trials

Joseph’s brothers sold him to the Midianites (Genesis 37:28), who sold him to Potiphar (Genesis 37:36).  The bible says that Joseph found grace in Potiphar’s sight and was made an overseer in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:4). Joseph was an enslaved person who was GREATER than everybody in the house except Potiphar.  Joseph recognized the anointing on his life and refused to sin against God when tempted by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:9).  Joseph is proof you can Live GREATER amid great adversity when the Spirit of God is leading you.

Live GREATER – In Service to God’s People 

Joseph found himself thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  While he was in prison, two people came to him with dreams that needed to be interpreted, and Joseph helped them. If we want to Live GREATER, we have to stop thinking about me, myself, and I, trusting that God will provide for us, freeing us to look after other people.  Ministry opportunities abound in the home, in the church, in the workplace, and in business.  Live GREATER by using every opportunity to serve God’s people.

Live GREATER – In Forgiveness

Joseph eventually had the opportunity to save his brothers’ lives, and once again, he Lived GREATER and did just that.  Joseph could have lived according to his emotions, feelings, and excuses, but he didn’t.  He forgave his brothers’ betrayal and eventually got to a place where he was able to say, “…fear not: for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive,” (Genesis 50:19-20).  Live GREATER by not allowing unforgiveness to cloud your judgment.  Live GREATER by operating in forgiveness and love.  Forgiveness frees you to live the abundant life that Christ came to give you.

Joseph is a perfect example of living GREATER because he is a type of Christ, and we know that Christ lived, and died, GREATER.

I’ve learned that our lives here are short, and I refuse to live the remainder of my days not doing what I’ve been called and gifted to do.  I want to Live GREATER because it glorifies God.

PS:  Are you ready to Live GREATER amid trials, in service to God’s people, or forgiveness?  Click here to download my free 30 Day workbook, “Forgiven to Forgive.”

~Aretha