Poetry speaks to me. One of my all-time favorites is “Get Drunk” by Baudelaire. The title is deceiving because it’s not really about drinking alcohol. It’s about making the most of your life; getting your fill of what matters. It’s about using your time to the best of your ability. “So as to not feel Time’s horrible burden that breaks your shoulders and bows you down, you must get drunk without ceasing,” the author tells us.
God knew that well before he created the concept of Time. One scripture that really speaks to me is when Jesus says in John 9:4, “While it is daytime, we must do the works of the One who sent Me. But when the sun sets and night falls, this work is impossible. Night is coming when no one can work,” meaning when the curtain closes on our life, that’s it. Done. Drop the mic and walk off the stage. There is no rewind.
Frankly, I’m tired of being wasteful with my limited commodity of time. The older I get, the more aware of how much of it I have squandered. I’ve wasted precious moments I can never get back battling everything from bitterness and hatred to self-loathing, depression, fear and regret. I got stuck in negative loops that tore at my spirit.
And it’s not just the ugly things I have given too much mileage in my life. Sometimes good things have called me down the wrong path. These are the yeses to godly activities that really should have been nos. Or the commitment I made to serve somewhere that really took a toll on my family and friends. While all good things come from God, God has not called us to personally do all things.
I’ve also surrendered my purpose. Have you ever prayed those purpose prayers? Ones like, “Lord, help me know what you want for my life,” or, “Please help me find your path for me,” or “What do you want me to do with my talents, Lord? I just want to serve you!”
Then, in the midst of asking how God wanted to use me, he opened my eyes to a powerful truth. God already knows how he wants to use me. He has placed every single talent inside of me I possess, all for his glory. He is asking me to simply trust. Now, my prayer has become, “Lord, all of my talents and gifts are yours. Use them anyway you see fit. If you open a door before me, I’ll walk through it. I choose to trust.”
The stress, the fear of somehow missing out, evaporates under that prayer because trust ushers in God’s incredible peace. From this position of surrender, many new doors have opened, incredible doors I would never have thought to walk through. It can be scary, yes. It can be hard. It definitely requires my faith to grow. But man, is it worth it! I love what He has done with my life despite me.
God knows the timing of each and every blessing in my life and in yours. When our knees start to wobble in fear, or our minds get clouded by worry and doubt, let's fight to grab a hold of the truth of God’s word and cling to it. He is faithful, not just to someone else, but to you!
The Bible says, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” God considers me wise when I remember not just “yolo” (you only live once), but to move forward with a different bounce to my step because I am in step with Him. With the time I have left, I'm choosing to spend it on pursuing God.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT What jumped out at you most today? What might God be trying to say to you in your life? Today, spend some time praying with God about it and invite Him fully into the center of what He is calling you to grow in. I'd love to hear what you decide! Please leave a comment by scrolling to the bottom of the page. Or, post on our Facebook page under this blog post.
PRAYER Father, I'm tired of wasting precious time on worry, doubt and fear. I invite you fully in to teach me what it means to have a heart of wisdom. I humbly ask you to grow my faithful obedience because my time on this earth is short. Lord, I know of you. May I live my life in such a way that you know of me. May I honor you with my choices in the smallest of areas so I can grow to become more like you. Thank you for your tremendous mercy and grace when I fall short. Always you are good, Papa. Thank you! Amen.
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My biggest goal is to use the time I have left to give back to others, to love them well into a stronger, resilient faith. I am challenged and inspired to be better not only for God, but for the people I love.