"I used to be afraid of failing at the things that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter."
Bob Goff
I have been feeling something in my heart lately.
A weightiness. A holy burden. An urgency.
I’m not exactly sure what, but this blog is me trying to put my finger on it. Here is what I think it may be:
Living life with purpose.
Living with the knowledge that Jesus is coming back.
That tomorrow isn’t promised.
That I want to live for Jesus.
That Christ is my life as Colossians 3 says.
That I want to live fully alive.
That I want to be a good steward of everything He gives me.
That I want to be a giver - a generous, cheerful giver!
That I desire to live as close as possible to Him.
That life has purpose and I’m not meant to just let life pass me by.
Time is so very precious. It’s the one thing that every single human has in common. 24 hours in a day.
“Lost time is never found again.” Benjamin Franklin once said. Because once it’s gone, it’s gone.
I think of the parable of the Ten Virgins that Jesus tells. (Matthew 25)
There are five virgins that prepared and five virgins that did not prepare. When it was time to go to the wedding of the Bridegroom, the unprepared ladies didn’t have enough oil in their lamps. They wanted to take the others’ for themselves!
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
You cannot burn someone else’s oil. You cannot live off of someone else’s faith. It must be yours. You must be ready.
Living with urgency does not mean you won't or can't have godly rest or peace. We can do both. But now, I believe, is the time to sharpen one another, to hear the voice of God, put your hand to the plow, and prepare. The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few. I think it’s because they’re sleeping. Or perhaps they feel like they are still in training. Or maybe they don't feel ready. Or they waiting until they are (or their circumstance) is perfect.
Here's the good news: God uses imperfect people all the time. We are ALL imperfect. What a relief!
Yet, there are seasons of waiting, and God’s timing is perfect.
For example: Perhaps today is not the day for you to quit your job and start building your business. Maybe it is! But if it isn’t, are you preparing for the day when that transition may happen? Are you stewarding your finances now?
Are you tithing and trusting God with not just your finances?
Are you seeking godly counsel and wisdom?
Are you thinking now of what the details of that business could be?
Are you meeting with someone with wisdom than you that can help you prepare?
Do you see the point I am making?
In the kindest, most loving truth: We have no one to blame but ourselves since we are responsible for every word and decision we make. This includes me!
The reality is that we will be judged by God for everything we did and did not do. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
God is a holy God, He is meant to be feared, revered, and given the highest honor. He deserves to be first and must be first. He is meant to be made known. He makes His glory known to us every day. We must live on purpose for HIm. Don’t waste your time or your life.
My biggest things I’m currently learning to hurdle:
Snooze button
Too much social media time
Worry
These are things that suck my time, my heart and attention, and can rob me of joy.
Why? Because these things distract me from spending my time wisely (and remember, lost time is never found again!)
Does it mean it don’t take a break? Does it mean I don’t sleep (or sleep in)? Does it mean I don’t enjoy the occasional scroll on social media?
No! But it means that I am mindful. I confess, I am not perfect at this, which is why I say these are things I'm currently learning and growing in. But I feel much more aware that I now refuse to let my life be wasted– because I was distracted! I desire to live a maximized life with a healthy heart posture and a sacred pace. I want to look back and see that I did all that I could do (there will be moments where I feel like I could have done more). My value doesn’t come from more. It comes from a secure place of my Rock, Jesus Christ. But what I value is determined by where I direct my resources. The time and money and talents I have been given.
What is of value you to you? What makes you come alive? Are you actively pursuing what God has placed on your heart?
Your call to action: make a list of where you spend your time and what dreams God has placed on your heart. Pray and ask Him for His guidance and wisdom for the right time to pursue it.
My heart is to constantly practice being in His Presence. Because I want to fill my mind with Him! I want my heart to overflow with Jesus! I want to live a life of purpose and love.
I don’t want to be a poor steward of what God has blessed me with.
Life is precious. Time is precious. The relationships around you are precious. Don’t take it for granted. What we do here, determines how we spend our eternity.
Live life on purpose!
A final note from me:
I want to reemphasize this that these are things that God is teaching me in my heart. If it can encourage you, too, that is my goal always. It's not meant to come off judgmental or shaming. I don't know what you are walking through or facing. My heart is that this would be a blog that encourages you and challenges you to live on purpose for the divine purpose that God has for you. There is not as much time as we think. I have been finding myself getting more distracted lately and putting off important things. I have been getting caught up in the day-to-day that I haven't been dreaming as often lately. My heart is that this would be a blog that causes you to pause and hear from God. What does living with holy urgency look like for you? It doesn't mean do everything in a rush. And it doesn't mean you have to drop everything and become an entrepreneur. It doesn't mean don't act with wisdom. It means listen to the voice of God always. Don't forsake His peace, don't forget that He is always with you and that He loves you and has what is best for you. I pray that what I am learning impacts you, too. <3
resources hand-picked for you
Books
Right People, Right Place, Right Plan by Jentezen Franklin
Sacred Pace by Terry Looper
Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
The Blessed Life by Ps Robert Morris
Sermon: "The Principle of the First" by Ps Robert Morris
Scripture
Proverbs 6:9-11 - "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 thief and scarcity like an armed man."
Proverbs 16:3 - "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your steps."
Matthew 6:25-34 | Do Not Worry
Songs
"Let it Happen" by United Pursuit
"God of Revival" by Bethel Worship
Comments