On Wednesday I turned 26! Life is going way too fast! I thought I’d just share a few reflections from my life at 26!

At 26 My Priorities are Changing - I just got engaged, started a new job, and I am helping plant a church and lead a youth ministry. My priorities must be clear and focused, if  not, I’ll burn out and make everyone around me miserable!

At 26 I’m Becoming More Focused - I am pursuing fewer things, but pursuing those things with more focus.

At 26 I’m Recognizing the Importance of Family - Every year family becomes more and more important to me. Next to God, family is the most important thing in my life. I’m making that a priority.

At 26, I’m More in Love with Laura than I’ve ever Been – We’ve been dating for nearly 10 years, and I love her more than I ever have.

At 26, I’m excited to Lead – I’ve never led at the level I get to lead in my life right now. I get to lead my future spouse, I get to lead a youth ministry, I get to lead 1,000+ volunteers at my new job! I’m excited to learn what it takes to lead at this level so I can go to another one in a few years!

At 26, I’m Trying to Turn it All Over to God - I don’t want it to be 60% Bubba and 40% God. I feel as though I’ve spent most of my twenties trying to pave my own way. I’m done with that. I want it to be all God and none of me!

At 26 I’m Maturing – I’ve heard that maturity is the ability to have a dollar and not spend it, to have something to say and not say it, to want to do something and not to it, and to want something to eat and not eat it! In other words, maturity is the ability to take on responsibility. It’s becoming easier and easier for me to mature as I set priorities.

At 26 I’m Realizing That I Need to Choose the Friendships I want to Fight For - I can’t be close friends with everyone, although I’d love to be. I need to choose which friendships I’m willing to fight for and put everything I can into them.

At 26 I’m Realizing I Can Only Pour into a Few - I can’t spend intimate time investing in everyone I want to. I must become purposeful about who I spend my time and energy investing in, but if I do my job, I’ll invest in those who invest in others!

At 26 a Healthy Life Style is Important - Exercise and Eating right have become extremely important to me.

At 26, The Possibilities are Endless – At 26, I’m dreaming bigger than I’ve ever dreamed. I’m realizing that the entire world is open to me and I can go anywhere and do anything! This is only the beginning!

What are some reflections you’ve had at your current age? What are you learning about life?

The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.  ~Ecclesiastes 12:12-13

Yesterday I turned 25 years old. That’s crazy! Someone once said, “Life is like toilet paper, the closer to the end you get, the faster it goes!” That’s a fact!

I spent some time reflecting on the 25 years of my life. What are the greatest lessons I’ve learned? What are my favorite memories? Greatest accomplishments? Favorite relationships?

I came down to one conclusion. The greatest thing about my life is my relationship with God. All I could keep saying to myself yesterday is “God’s been so good to me.”

Choosing to pursue a relationship with God was the best decision I’ve ever made. Everything in my life has stemmed from making that decision.

He’s opened up doors nobody else could open, given me unbelievable experiences, connected me with some of the greatest people on the planet, and above anything else, He’s allowed me to have an amazing relationship with Him.

I’ve lived without God, and with God, and there is no comparison.

My Conclusion: The only life worth living is one passionately pursuing God with everything in you.

If you’re reading this, and you’ve never experienced God in the way I’m talking about, you’re missing out! He longs to have a relationship with you. He longs to do amazing things in your life. He loves you. I’d love to talk to you about how you can start a relationship with Him. Feel free to e-mail me at bsmith@lifeatvictory.com or leave me a message on Facebook.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the GOOD of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”        -Romans 8:28

Life Lessons

There is something about going to funerals that really give us (or should) perspective on life. I know everytime I attend one, I really take time to reflect on life and what is important. Through the loss of my mom and seeing the loss of other loved ones, I keep coming back to these basic, yet important lessons about life:

1.) Nobody Escapes Death

2.) Life is Short

3.) You don’t get to do this Over Again – Live your life on purpose… intentionally

4.) Too many times we wait to speak well of someone until their funeral - they never get to hear what they meant to us. (Encourage people every chance you get, people in your life should know what they mean to you.)

5.) People Will Summarize Your Life in One Sentence - What do you want said of your life? Start living your life so people know what to say at your funeral.

6.) We need to Enjoy the Journey – We take so much of our lives for granted . . . learn to appreciate the small things

7.) “Nobody on their Death Bed ever said, “I wish I spent more time in the office” – God,  family, friends, and people are what matter in life.

8.) Your Life Matters - I’ve been to funerals where thousands showed up and others where 3 people showed up. Regardless of the numbers, everybody matters to somebody. When you recognize that – you’ll recognize you can make a difference in someones life, and hopefully starting living a life focused on adding value to others.

9.) God is Big, God is Good, God is Life, God is Love, God is Everything – I love people who say they don’t believe in God. If you held a gun to somebody’s head and they knew their life was about to end, they’d believe in God pretty quick. No matter how hard life is, no matter what the circumstances, the greatest life lesson we can ever learn is that God loves us. He cares about us, He works all things out for our good, He is everything and we need to pursue Him with all of our hearts.

I hope this series helped you if you’re going through the heartache of losing a loved one. I feel your pain, and I’m here to tell you that there is a God that loves you and understands your pain as well. He wants to be a part of your life and part of your healing process. Don’t run from Him, run to Him – I promise you’ll find peace and joy in Him and your life will never be the same.