Live With Purpose

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing,” (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NASB).

 We all want to live life to the fullest, but to do that, we must have goals to aim for. Few of us actually take the time to consider where we’re going. How tragic it would be to finish our life and find out we were on a course other than God’s, fighting the wrong fight and struggling to keep the faith.

The apostle Paul is a good role model for living life to the fullest. His goals were to “…know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings,” (Philippians 3:10, NASB), and “…to preach the gospel,” (1 Corinthians 1:17, NASB). Paul aligned his aspirations with the Lord’s, diligently worked to fulfill his calling, and persevered through suffering. He could face the end of his life with confidence since he’d “…fought the good fight… finished the course…kept the faith,” (2 Timothy 4:7, NASB).

If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we’ve been getting. We can’t settle for the mediocrity of an unplanned life. We must set aside some time this week and every week to get alone with the Lord. We ask for His help in setting goals that will take us where He wants us to go. We need to consider every area of our life – personal, relational, financial, and vocational – but make spiritual goals our primary emphasis.

Let God help you change direction so you can pursue things that align with His will. Then start living intentionally.

 ~ Jeff