“The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”
Life is lived not just by what one can acquire through his efforts nor inherit from his ancestors. Life is lived not just by the food he eats, car he drives or house he builds. Life is lived not only to satisfy the physical body but also the soul and spirit. “Man is made of three aspects” as they say, the body, soul and spirit. It is this spirit being that causes inner longing to know why he was placed in this universe. It is this spiritual being that is governed by convictions.
Consider Mother Theresa who grew up in a wealthy family but chose to give up the wealth that she had, got out from the confines of her comfortable life just to serve the poor people in India. What on earth has she eaten to give up the luxurious life that many fight for these days for the sake of the poor? Many may consider what she did as foolishness but not to her. She lived the rest of her life with satisfaction until the day she died.
There are things that conviction can do. First, it inspires confidence to do beyond the natural, to the extent that man can give up the natural things he possesses just to pursue what he believes. The book of Matthew likens the kingdom of heaven into a treasure hid in a field and a merchant man seeking goodly pearls. When the treasure was discovered and pearls found, the finder sold all that he had just to buy the field where the treasure was and the pearl that he found (Matthew 13:44-46). No wonder why many believers can forsake everything for what they believe in.
Second, conviction transcends the approval of man. This explains why many people pursue their dreams even without their familyís support. This answers why many workers continue to work despite not getting the favor of their boss. If a man believes in what he does and finds satisfaction in it, he will defy all odds to keep it.
Lastly, conviction is a powerful guide to keep one going through life. ìA man who does not stand for something will fall for everythingî a mentor once said. A man without conviction is like a reed tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. One who is clueless on how to live his life will follow every advice every Tom, Dick and Harry would give, walk every possible path but end up lost by the end of the day.
If you ever wondered why your life seems meaningless, try to assess your own convictions and how you stood for them. It will do the math. As the Word goes, “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” (Romans 14:22)