His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV)
One of the most difficult things is to order and manage one’s own life rightly, Amen? Unfortunately, we are usually harder on others and easier on ourselves regarding this. Yet, at the end of our lives, it is we who are all held accountable for how we lived this one life we have been given. We want to invest rather than spend it - which in the end would count for less than nothing. God is not ultimately concerned about any material blessings we have or trips we have taken or books we have read or honors we have won or athletic goals we have achieved – it is what we do with these for His glory that matters. How we use what is placed in our hands is of ultimate importance. Do we bring glory to Him or to us through them?
We all can find ourselves fighting for time or perhaps better said, fighting to use time wisely. We all have the same exact amount each a day. And none of us gets a do over. When it is done it is done and time is a terrible thing to waste. Why is it that some flourish and some falter in this? We do have time, yet we choose to use it wrongly, right? Solomon quips in Proverbs 6:9-11 (NIV): “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Yet, unfortunately, sleep is not the only way to waste away our time – think all devices, think excessive anything from exercise to work to play and all in between. Everyone has their own Deliliah’s – things that entice us away from the very best God has for our lives and that is always Him. Always.
Paul writes in Romans 12 (among many other things and so worth your read) – in Verse 11 how believers are to live: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Believers in Jesus are to be both enthusiastic and diligent in their service for the Master – whatever He has called and gifted us to do and wherever He has placed us. He has a plan for each one of us – plans to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future. And you do not want to miss His best. It is indeed taking hold of life that is truly life.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)