Q: What do you want to do with your life?
Maybe this is too big of a question. Let's start with something a lot less deep, something like,
Q: What do you want to do with your day?
Well this seems much simpler to answer, isn't it? Maybe not! You see, our life is really just a series of our answering the latter question - in other words, it is day-by-day living, which equates to what will be known later as, "Your life."
So, how do you plan on using your time today? Well, for most of us, this is answered by the commitments to responsibilities and the desires for our, "Self." The commitments are all a part of life, and we all have them, or should as responsible people. Things such as, studying/reading the bible, spending time in prayer, and with the family, along with work will, or should, take a large portion of our available time.
Q: What about the available time left - is it okay for me to do something for myself?
A: Absolutely, providing it honors the Lord, doesn't take more time than what you are giving Him, and doesn't hinder His divine plans for using you in some unexpected way.
This is where it gets tricky for us at times. The reason is we are under the misunderstanding leading us to believe our lives are our own - we are free to live them the ways "WE" see fit. This is not so! We can see the Apostle Paul speaking this truth into the lives of the Corinthians who were living a carefree sexual lifestyle. Paul tells them plainly, "You are not your own."
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1Corinthians 6:18-20 (NKJV)
This principle isn't just referring to sexual sin either; it is for everything we do in life.
Q: What does this mean to me as a Christian?
A: It means, as a Christian, I need to constantly remember, I've made an agreement, or covenant with God. I have said, I believe Jesus died for me, and He is my Lord. My life is not my own, I have been bought and paid for. It means, because I know how much God loved me, I now love Him, and I want to glorify Him and bring Him honor. I want my life to reflect His presence within me, and it is now my desire to share this gift He has given me with others.
There is one thing for sure with every one of us; none of us know what tomorrow will bring, or how long we will be alive in this temporary tent we call a body.
Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.Proverbs 27:1 (NKJV)
Knowing this should cause us to live in a way where we carefully choose how we use our time, and resources, and for what purposes. Many opportunities are before us each and every day-
- Opportunities to be used by God
- Opportunities to serve others
- Opportunities to love others in a selfless way
- Opportunities for others to know Christ, and for them to have their name written in the Book of Life
In a world obsessed with the message of telling us to "Find ourself," we must instead listen to God, and be committed to "Losing ourself." We must make it our focus to be willing to lose our life of self-centered wants and desires. We must instead, submit our personal will to Him and replace it with His will for our life.
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today, deny yourself; take up your cross, and follow Jesus. Take time to talk to others, and to put them first. Say no to those desires to live a life centered on this world, and the desires of this world. Jesus shared this same message some 2-thousand years ago with His followers, and it is the same message for us today - for those who call themselves followers of Jesus, or "Christians."
Q: Are you committed to being a disciple of Jesus Christ?
If you answered yes, then simply remember, you traded your old life for a new one centered and committed to being like Christ - It's God's exchange policy.
STUDY QUESTION: According to Luke 9:23-24, what does Jesus require of those who desire to follow Him?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you denying yourself, and taking up your cross daily? What does that translate to in your life?
APPLICATION: Take each day, one at a time. Seek the Lord in prayer each morning. Ask Him to direct any divine appointment He may have for you. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and empower you to do all He asks. Be willing to put the needs of others before yourself - to serve and love them in the same way Jesus served and loved us.
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