"Intentional living"
So 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. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 5:15-18 NLT)
Life is short. It's true. We know it from how quickly every day & week, month & year passes. But we also know it from what the Bible teaches us. Hebrews says that our lives are but a vapor, here one moment & then gone the next.
Even more alarming is the mortality rate among human beings. One out of every one person dies. Those odds will never be in our favor.
The question that comes screaming out of these truths for us then is, "What are we doing with our lives, our one & only lives?" What difference are we making for the kingdom of God?
For us to have maximum kingdom impact while we are here, we must live our lives with great intentionality. I think that what Paul is getting at here in Ephesians 5. He uses imperatives like, "Be careful, be wise, make the most of opportunities, understand the will of the Lord, & be full of the Spirit." That's intentionality. To steal Rick Warren's thought, live life on purpose.
Why are we doing what we are doing? Why do we live where we live? Why are we working where we are working? Why?
Are we living life with great intentionality? Are we in a place where we can impact the kingdom? If not, what would it take to get there?
Are we having an impact where we are or always waiting for a day when we will get to _________?
Don't wait. Live every day with purpose & intention. Be wise. Make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel, love your neighbor, & expand the kingdom.
Life is too short to do anything less.
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