Keep Your Day Job
“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:5
24…1,440…86,400. Don’t worry, this is not a brain teaser where you need to come up with the next number in the sequence. You may have already figured out that these three figures represent the number of hours, minutes, and seconds allotted to us each day. We understand that life is a precious gift, each day brings a special opportunity or challenge, and that both (one’s life and days) speeds by like a sports car in the fast lane. Psalm 39:4-5 tells us, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of years is nothing before You.”
Rather than seeing this as something dreadfully unavoidable, what if we were to recognize that each of us have a unique purpose to live out in each 24-hour time period? Our lives are meant to have a specific “IMPRINT” and leave a substantial “IMPACT”. What’s even more amazing to consider, in the same way fingerprints are unique to each person, is that each person’s purpose, contribution, and sphere of influence will be specific to you and you alone. Wow talk about Divine Design and Purpose! One of the things I reflect on and wrestle with at the end of any given day is whether I made the most of every opportunity, was productive and fruitful in my labor, was a blessing to someone, and ultimately was I pleasing to the Lord? Consider the following verses that speak to living in such a way:
Psalm 19:14- “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Ephesians 2:10- “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Colossians 1:10- “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:9- “So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”
As the world keeps spinning, the clock keeps ticking, and our hearts keep beating, the Lord desires that we live out our days on this earth through the eyes of faith, with a heart filled by and united to the Spirit, and with feet and hands operating in His special purpose. In Ephesians 5:8 we are told that who we are determines how we live, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” It is because of our Maker’s and Messiah’s mandate to live in light that we have developed our FAITH APP CLASS (beginning this Sunday 2/3). This four-week class is meant to take us from having just a “Sunday Special” faith mentality to an “Everyday Awesome” reality! Faith App is about ENTRY POINTS for each believer. Through this class we will learn to enter a true relationship and intimate walk with God; to enter a better understanding of our identity; to enter a life of greater influence in our home, neighborhood, and workplace relationships; and to enter a greater place of connecting and contributing in the Shepherd’s House Church family.
Over the last season the Lord has been showing me the things I need to engage and invest in with the 24-hours, 1,440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds I have been given. Let me share with you a few of the ways I look to APPLY MY FAITH each day:
1) Spending TIME WITH GOD-
Reading the Bible and quoting one Scripture each night before going to bed.
Writing down things I sense the Holy Spirit speaking/revealing to my heart.
Praying in my Spiritual Language* (*This amazing God gift which brings greater levels of intimacy and liberty is available to ALL. If you would like to hear more or have someone pray for you to receive your spiritual language, come up to the prayer team after a Sunday service).
Attending the Open Prayer Times in the Sanctuary (Tuesdays 8-9 am and Wednesdays 5-6 pm)
2) Looking for ways to be a BLESSING TO OTHERS-
Offering to pray for someone based on the need they have and season they are experiencing.
Handing out a “Speak Life” Card in order to bring encouragement.
Giving financially or lending something to help cover a need.
Being available with a listening ear or a helping hand to a neighbor, coworker, family member, or even a stranger.
Sharing the good news about Jesus (Gospel story) and what He has done in our lives (testimony).
Remembering to pray for those who are “lost”, to pray for fellow believers, and to pray for all who serve/lead in different capacities within our city and country (i.e.- military, police/firefighters, government officials, etc.).
May some of these turn into practical and purposeful steps during the course of each day in order that the gift, blessing, and victory of God becomes realized in and through you!