Is What I’m Doing the Best Use of My Life?

In review of Ephesians 5:15-17 it says, “Be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise. Live wisely. I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish with your lives. But learn what the Lord wants you to do” (ICB).

Today’s verse is from Ephesians 5. In it Paul tells me to be very careful, how I live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

By referring to these days as evil, Paul was communicating his sense of urgency because of evil's pervasiveness. I need the same sense of urgency because my days are also difficult. I must keep my standards high, act wisely, and do good whenever I can.

If I want to make an impact with my life, I’ve got to do one thing: Get control of my time. My time is my life. If I don’t learn to manage my time, I’ll limit the legacy of my life.

Everyone has the same amount of time every week: 168 hours. It’s what I do with it that counts! I’ve only been allotted a certain number of days in this world, and if I waste them, I’ve blown it! If I waste time, I’m wasting my life. My time is my life. I need to consider, “Is this the best use of my time? Is this the best use of my life?”

I don’t have time for everything. The good news is that God doesn’t expect me to do everything. So don’t feel guilty about it! There are only a few things worth doing in the first place.

Effective people figure out what’s essential in life and what’s trivial, and they spend more time doing the essential things and less time doing the trivial things. I can’t eliminate all the trivia in my life, but I can reduce it.

This sounds easy, but frankly it’s often difficult to choose between what’s best for and what’s easiest for my life, especially when I’m tired. When I’m tired I don’t want to do the best thing. I’ll tend to do what’s easy. That’s why if I’m really going to make something of my life, I have to learn to get some rest. If I’m not rested, I won’t have the mental, emotional, and physical strength to say, “I’m going to do the right thing instead of the easiest thing.”

I shouldn’t waste life. I shouldn’t settle for second best. I shouldn’t just go through life just existing. I was not created to just coast. God made me for a mission and a purpose. That starts by asking, “Is what I’m doing the best use of my life?”

Bottom Line:

Live wisely, make the most of every opportunity that comes your way by understanding God's will.

What this means to me:

I need to be wise and make the most of every opportunity that I have. I need to understand what God's will is and do it.

In summary, I need to be careful in how I live, I need to be wise and make the most of every opportunity. So I shouldn’t be foolish, but rather understand what the Lord's will is. I need to keep my standards high and do good whenever I can. To make impact I need to get control of my time. I don't have time for everything, and God doesn't expect me to. There are only a few things worth doing in the first place. An effective person will spend more time doing the essential things and less time doing that which is trivial. God made me for a mission and a purpose. It starts with me asking, "Is what I'm doing the best use of my life?"

Today’s study ties into some thoughts I was having yesterday and doing what God’s will for my life is. Lately I’ve just been working and serving behind the scenes, but not doing much to advance his kingdom and making a true impact on others lives. I need to consider my time and what I’m using it for. How can I be effectively used to advance his Kingdom by sharing the good news to make a lasting impact on others lives. Father I pray that you will continue to give me your thoughts and to know how I can more effectively fulfill your purpose for me. Today I also ask for your guidance and wisdom in my work, tasks, leadership and interaction with others. These things I pray through your Son Jesus name, amen.