I think God wants us to focus our efforts and schedules on those things that matter and that we value most.
Too often, people don’t figure what’s important out until someone dies; they face a life-threatening illness or some other tragedy before spending their life pursuing what truly matters to us.
Jesus said, “I give you life, full, abundant and overflowing”. (John 10:10) But what does that look like for you, because if we want a different life from the one we have and a different result, we’ll need to do something different.
Here are 5 Steps to help you live a more purposeful life and put what matters most on your schedule.
1. Acknowledge the fact that you can’t do everything.
We can only do so much. We have to make important decisions to eliminate some things. We have to choose to remove the clutter from our schedules.
Clutter is the stuff that interferes with the life God planned for us to live. It slows us down from doing the things we value most. Clutter can be activated, mindsets, habits (I’ve always done this”) etc. Ask yourself, why am I doing this? Did God ask me to? Can I use my time better?
2. Clarify what’s most important…to you!
The things important to you will affect how you make decisions and spend your days. Don’t rush into things; take some time and ask God for the “blueprint” what are you aiming and planning towards? What is important?
Ask yourself, “What kind of person do I want to be? What relationships are most important to me? What do I want to accomplish?”
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.…” (Ephesians 5:16)
3. Determine what you have to do to live for those things.
Once you’ve identified what’s meaningful, you can begin to think about how you’ll get there.
Ask God to give you wisdom and clarity on mapping a route to your destination.
Find the best way to be and do what you want to be and do. If we don’t, we risk wandering through life, wishing it could be different, but never living the life we long for.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
4. Learn to say no! We all have to make choices about how we spend our time. We will have to say “no” to some things so we can say “yes” to others. Schedule and do the important, not the urgent or what others say you should!
5. Find what motivates you and use it.
Think about what inspires you. What makes you come alive? What reminds you of the things you value most? Schedule and spend your time doing things and being with those you love. If you don’t know what you like doing, or you are in a bit of a “rut”, take a day regularly to try something new until you find out.
Don’t allow things of lesser importance or a schedule that is “full” but lacks meaning to rob you of the life God wants you to be living.
Take a good look at your life and be honest. Pray, seek God. Make the time and effort to schedule those people and things that matter most to you, and start living your best life now!
“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5 NLT)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
Prayer: Lord, help me be honest about how I spend my time and my schedule. I was hoping you could help me to live more focused and purposeful, making the most of the day and every opportunity. In Jesus name, amen.
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