Jesus said that He came to give us “abundant life” or “fullness of life”. He is also the one through whom we receive God’s free gift of eternal life. Putting the two together, we see that He gives us a different quality and quantity of life. We have the opportunity of living life forever and on a higher plane! If we tap into the wisdom and grace of God, Christians should be able to ‘do life well’ and so be effective witnesses.
Joh 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Life Happens
Many believe life simply happens. They live with the philosophy of the song ‘Que Sera Sera’, “what will be will be”. This is fatalism! Nothing happens to us that hasn’t first been sifted through the Sovereign hands of a loving Father. But God nevertheless gives us the gift of free will and the opportunity of choosing for ourselves the direction of our lives will take.
Deu 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
I want to exhort you, saying, “Don’t just happen! Be a planned happening! Choose to live a fruitful and a productive life.”
I was a teenager in the sixties during the Hippy Era. A ‘cool’ saying of the day was – “Hey man! What’s your mission?” – meaning, “what you are doing, and where are you going?” (Not that I think many hippies of the day could have truly answered the question!) If I were to ask you that question today, would you be able to give me a clear answer? What IS your mission in life? To help you clarify things a bit I want share a few thoughts on how to bring order and direction into your life – some thoughts on “getting your ducks in a row”. (Hehehe! When I captured the above picture of White Faced Whistling Ducks at Lake Panic in the Kruger National Park, it made me think of this metaphor).
Beware the Brevity of Life
Many Scriptures warn us that life is fleeting…
Psa 39:4-5 Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.
Jas 4:14 ..you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Because this is true, we should live wisely and circumspectly. We will not pass this way again! That is why the Psalmist prayed saying…
Psa 90:12 NLT Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
The clock is indeed ticking and you and I are urged to…
Eph 5:15-17 NLT ..be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Young people are adjured to..
Ecc 12:1 MSG Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes…
Now, because of the brevity of life, Solomon advises us saying…
Ecc 9:7 MSG Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes--God takes pleasure in your pleasure!
Indeed, we should enjoy the journey and smell the flowers along the way. But, let us not forget the life hereafter. I encourage you to…
Live in the Light of Eternity
2Co 4:16-18 ..we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
What are we supposed to fix our eyes on and why? This brief life will one day end and then we will pass into eternity. But, although this life is a mere vapour in its duration, it IS significant since it determines our eternal destiny.
We’ll have to give an account to our Maker on how we’ve spent our days. Paul is talking to Christians when he says…
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
In line with this I urge you to…
Live Purposefully and Productively
God has invested so much in us. He is our Creator, our Sustainer, our Redeemer and ultimately our Judge. We are accountable to Him for everything that He has entrusted to us. We are stewards of the talents, resources and time which He has given to us. To live purposefully and productively, I will need to have some dreams and to set some goals.
One needs to have goals covering the different areas of one’s life: spiritual, professional, social, mental, physical, financial etc.
How are you doing? Have you formulated any goals for 2022 yet?
It is important to set SMART goals: S = Specific, M = measureable, A = attainable, R = Relevant, T = time related.
We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in six months and underestimate what we can accomplish in six years. Some of us are good at trotting off a list of a whole lot of things we’d like to do. We are good at filling our lives with frenzied activity – this is a recipe for frustration and burnout. No! We need to subject the things we wish to do to the scrutiny of the Lord in prayer. The Lord’s yoke is easy and His burden is light. Prayerfully prune your goals until you have peace that you are prioritising the Lord’s will above your own.
Joh 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Finally, I believe that it’s imperative that you write these goals down so that you remember them and keep working towards them. The Lord said to Habakkuk…
Hab 2:2 "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”
Begin each week by having a fresh look at your goals and by praying into them. In this way you will be able to “run with the vision” because it will be clear and concrete in your mind.
Have an Awesome 2022
Psa 90:17 NLT And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
May I recommend the following 5 day Bible reading plan in the YouVersion Bible App.
GOD + GOALS: How To Set Goals As A Christian
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