Life is exciting! Life is fun! Life is happy! Like Jim Elliot once said, “Wherever you are, be all there.” You’re on the mission field—get at it! Have a ball! Go for it!

Optimism, pessimism, suspicion, and fatalism all fail to present life as it really is. In contrast to these four ways we view life God tells us to live with a perspective characterized by reality, joy, trust, and hope.

The man-made philosophies of materialism, hedonism, humanism, and fatalism are false foundations that will never bring contentment. Examine your lifestyle—are any of these philosophical foundations guiding your decisions?

As leaders we are tempted to see the objective in front of us—of all we must get done. Wise leaders remember objectives can’t be the single drive of our lives; we must build into those who will someday be in leadership.

Jesus says if we build our lives on Him, when the storms of life come, we will stand. We can trust in His wisdom and power.

A wise leader has a cheerful disposition. And no one says it like Solomon, “Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam,” Ecclesiastes 8:1.

“If it feels good, do it.” Six single-syllable words comprise the motto of this generation. God gave us the senses, but if pushed to a far enough extreme, we move into either heresy or perversion.

When we’re reproved our egos are threatened and we become defensive. What if instead of protecting ourselves we committed to becoming more like Christ? When we desire to be like Him we welcome reproof.

If you knew it was your last week, how would you spend your time? This week, this day, could be your last. How are you investing your time?

Material gain will never satisfy your spiritual hunger. Neither will power, prestige, or success. If you pursue these things you may gain the world for time, but you could be forfeiting blessings in eternity.