Living a Life That Counts: Effort and Trust
Summary
In our journey through life, we are all driven by a deep-seated desire to make a difference, to leave a mark, and to count for something significant. This is not a manifestation of ego but a God-given drive that propels us to strive for impact within our communities. Drawing inspiration from Ignatius of Loyola, we explore the concept of living a life that counts by adopting a common mission and way of life, much like a spiritual order. Ignatius's mission was to help souls, a broad yet profound calling that invites us to engage in acts of goodness, as exemplified by Jesus in the book of Acts.
A key principle from Ignatius's teachings is the balance between effort and trust: "Work as if success depended on your own efforts, but trust as if all depended on God." This dual approach encourages us to invest our best efforts in our tasks while recognizing that the ultimate outcomes are in God's hands. We are called to supply the effort, but the results are beyond our control, resting in divine providence. This understanding liberates us from the pressure of outcomes, allowing us to work with devotion and freedom.
The story of the disciples in Acts, described as "unschooled ordinary men," reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their qualifications, to achieve remarkable things. Our role is to commit fully to our tasks, bringing our best energies and creativity, while trusting God with the results. This approach fosters joy, a sign of spiritual health, even amidst life's challenges.
As we engage in our daily tasks, whether at work, home, or in service to others, we are invited to bring our full focus, energy, and creativity. Yet, we must also pray, acknowledging that the ultimate success is not up to us. This balance of effort and trust is the hallmark of a life that counts, a life lived in the freedom and power of God's presence.
Key Takeaways:
- The drive to make a difference is a God-given impulse, not an ego-driven ambition. We are called to impact our communities positively, much like Ignatius of Loyola, who dedicated his life to helping souls. [00:30]
- Balancing effort and trust is crucial. We must work diligently as if everything depends on us, yet trust fully as if everything depends on God. This dual approach liberates us from the pressure of outcomes. [01:52]
- God can use anyone, regardless of their qualifications, to achieve His purposes. Our role is to commit fully to our tasks, bringing our best efforts, while trusting God with the results. [05:41]
- Joy is a sign of spiritual health. Even amidst challenges, we are called to live with joy, knowing that our worth is not tied to outcomes but to our relationship with God. [09:47]
- In our daily tasks, we are invited to bring our full focus and creativity, while praying and acknowledging that ultimate success is in God's hands. This balance fosters a life of freedom and power in God's presence. [10:57]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - God-Given Drive to Make a Difference
- [00:42] - Learning from Ignatius of Loyola
- [01:09] - Invitation to a Common Mission
- [01:52] - Balancing Effort and Trust
- [02:54] - Effort and Outcomes
- [04:17] - Outcomes in God's Hands
- [05:25] - God Uses Ordinary People
- [06:20] - Personal Reflections and Gratitude
- [07:43] - Working Diligently and Letting Go
- [08:24] - Freedom in God's Power
- [09:47] - Joy as a Sign of Health
- [10:15] - Invitation to Focused Effort
- [11:10] - Making Today Count
- [11:24] - Closing and Contact Information
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 4:13 - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
Observation Questions:
1. What does the passage in Acts 4:13 reveal about the perception of the disciples by the authorities? How does this relate to the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their qualifications? [05:41]
2. How does Ignatius of Loyola's principle of balancing effort and trust reflect in the actions of the disciples in Acts? [01:52]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of working diligently while trusting God with the outcomes? [04:17]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the principle "work as if success depended on your own efforts, but trust as if all depended on God" challenge or affirm your understanding of faith and works? [01:52]
2. In what ways does the story of the disciples in Acts encourage believers to step out in faith despite feeling unqualified? [05:41]
3. How does the presence of joy serve as an indicator of spiritual health, even amidst challenges, according to the sermon? [09:47]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current task or responsibility in your life. How can you apply the balance of effort and trust in this situation? What specific steps will you take to ensure you are doing your part while trusting God with the results? [03:21]
2. Think of a time when you felt unqualified for a task. How did you see God work through your efforts despite your perceived limitations? How can this experience encourage you in future endeavors? [05:41]
3. Identify an area in your life where you feel pressure to control the outcome. How can you practice releasing this pressure and trusting God with the results? [04:17]
4. Joy is mentioned as a sign of spiritual health. What are some practical ways you can cultivate joy in your daily life, even when facing difficulties? [09:47]
5. Consider a community or group you are part of. How can you contribute to making a positive impact, inspired by Ignatius of Loyola's mission to help souls? What specific actions can you take this week? [00:30]
6. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily tasks to remind yourself that ultimate success is in God's hands? What might this look like practically for you? [10:57]
7. Reflect on the idea of living a life that counts. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are living with purpose and intention? [11:10]
Devotional
Day 1: God-Given Drive to Impact
Each of us carries an intrinsic desire to make a meaningful impact in the world, a drive that is not born out of ego but is a divine impulse. This God-given drive encourages us to contribute positively to our communities, much like Ignatius of Loyola, who dedicated his life to helping souls. Ignatius's mission was broad yet profound, inviting us to engage in acts of goodness and service, following the example of Jesus. This calling is not limited to grand gestures but is fulfilled in everyday acts of kindness and service, reflecting God's love and purpose in our lives. [00:30]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one way you can positively impact your community this week. How can you use your unique gifts to serve others today?
Day 2: Balancing Effort and Trust
The principle of balancing effort and trust is central to living a life that counts. We are encouraged to work diligently as if success depends entirely on our efforts, yet trust fully as if everything depends on God. This dual approach liberates us from the pressure of outcomes, allowing us to work with devotion and freedom. By recognizing that the ultimate results are in God's hands, we can focus on giving our best in every task, knowing that our worth is not tied to the outcomes but to our faithfulness in the process. [01:52]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to release control and trust God with the outcomes? How can you practice this balance of effort and trust today?
Day 3: God Uses Ordinary People
The story of the disciples in Acts, described as "unschooled ordinary men," illustrates that God can use anyone, regardless of their qualifications, to achieve remarkable things. Our role is to commit fully to our tasks, bringing our best energies and creativity, while trusting God with the results. This approach fosters joy and spiritual health, reminding us that our value is not in our credentials but in our willingness to be used by God. [05:41]
"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate for a task. How can you trust God to use your ordinary abilities for His extraordinary purposes today?
Day 4: Joy as a Sign of Spiritual Health
Joy is a profound indicator of spiritual health, even amidst life's challenges. We are called to live with joy, knowing that our worth is not tied to outcomes but to our relationship with God. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and love. By embracing this joy, we can navigate life's difficulties with a sense of peace and purpose, reflecting the freedom and power of living in God's presence. [09:47]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing? How can you choose to experience God's joy in the midst of this situation today?
Day 5: Focused Effort in God's Hands
In our daily tasks, we are invited to bring our full focus, energy, and creativity, while praying and acknowledging that ultimate success is in God's hands. This balance fosters a life of freedom and power in God's presence, allowing us to work diligently without being burdened by the pressure of outcomes. By entrusting our efforts to God, we can experience a sense of peace and fulfillment, knowing that our labor is not in vain when it is done for His glory. [10:57]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one task you can approach with full focus and creativity today? How can you entrust the results to God, allowing Him to guide your efforts?
Quotes
"You were made to count, you were created to have a deep impact in this world to make a difference to leave your mark and that's a real good thing that's not ego ego distorts it but that's a god-given drive that's inside of you and we're all striving for that together in the community and the fellowship." [00:00:19]
"Ignatius was one and he began what's called an order an order is a community it's a spiritual community of people who adopt a kind of common way of life and a common mission and for Ignatius it was to help souls that's quite broad and it is struck me reading through this that's what I want to be a part of." [00:00:50]
"The maxim is this work as if success depended on your own efforts but trust as if all depended on God work like it was all up to you trust like it's all up to God this is actually a real brief version of what was a longer expression of it in Ignatius's time." [00:01:49]
"In all things pertaining to the service of our Lord which Ignatius undertook he made use of all human means to succeed in them with as much care and energy as if success depended on those means and he trusted in God and remained dependent on his divine providence as if all those other human beings which he employed were of no effect at all." [00:02:11]
"There is effort and there are outcomes we are called to supply the effort so begin thinking now what's a task you have to do today might be going to work might be writing an email might be doing something around the house might be doing a favor for some other person might be watching a child might be studying for something." [00:03:16]
"How much effort can you bring to that how much dedication concentration of will focus of mind and heart and spirit enthusiasm gratitude how much effort can you bring to it because God made you with the capacity for effort we grow when we invest effort in something and God himself will not supply the effort that God is calling for you to give." [00:03:38]
"And then on the other hand there are outcomes and it's outcomes that I cannot control it's outcomes that I cannot manufacture over which I do not have god-like power outcomes rest in the hand of God and so the idea is God himself will not supply effort in your place but you cannot control outcomes in God's place." [00:04:05]
"We are called to give the best that we can invest the best that we can that's what we do that's what it means to be created in the image of God to want to make a mark so I work fully invested in it but then I rest knowing that the outcome is not up to me and that I am my well-being or worth is not on the line." [00:04:38]
"When we allow God to do the outcomes when we invest ourselves fully quite remarkable things happen there's that wonderful statement in the book of Acts when the disciples begin to do ministry begin to teach and heal and incredible results occur and the authorities are astounded because it says that they saw that these were unschooled ordinary men." [00:05:21]
"God can use any old idiot to do what what it is they got I don't have to be smart I don't have to be educated but I do have to commit myself fully to it I have to bring the best devotion that I can but then I don't have to live under pressure." [00:06:01]
"The presence of joy is such a sign of health and a person in a family in a community we're not called to live in despair even in the midst of great pain and sorrow and confusion so that's the invitation today for our little order for the fellowship of the withered hand." [00:09:56]
"Work with the best diligence energy focus think of a task that you have to do now and you may have a job that you go to or that you do from home or you may be caring for another person or you may be studying for a test you might be fixing a meal you might be writing something you might be leading a meeting." [00:10:18]
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