A Profound Truth

Living is Spiritual—Existing is Biological. What a profound truth! What a statement! How many people do you know who just exist? They wake up every morning with no idea of what they want to accomplish. You have probably engaged in conversations with people who have absolutely no idea of what their purpose in life is. Wasted years, wasted opportunities. The Psalmist reminds us to “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NKJV throughout). He goes on to write life can be best described this way: “In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers.” 

Essentially that is the definition of life, is it not? We are born and then we die. The question we all must come to terms with is this: “How are we going to live and what are we going to live for?” Are we just existing or are we truly living? Are we just counting down the days before we exit this miserable planet, or are we living every day to the fullest while examining ways we can maximize the talents and opportunities God has bestowed upon us? 

Paul gives us some great advice on how to make life count. Writing to the church at Ephesus, he implores them, as well as Christians today, to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17).  What a recipe for wholesome living. What a recipe for a life totally lived with purpose and absolute clarity. The term circumspectly means “walk with intent and purpose.” 

Think about how lost and confused we all were before we became devout followers of Jesus. Without the hope of salvation and without the Scripture to guide and direct us, we walked aimlessly. Thankfully, in Christ, we are not like people of the world who are “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.” No, we are wise striving to make the most of every opportunity. Now we are coached by “wisdom that is from above” (James 3:17). Hence, we now live and walk circumspectly, with absolute intentionality. 

Paul also begs the church to assess their life and life choices. That is why he challenges us to “redeem the time.” That is to make the most of the little time we have. How much time do we waste every day and every week on trivial pursuits or things that really have no bearing on developing our walk with Christ. For instance, according to a recent study, the average American spends five hours a day scrolling through their phones. That incorporates looking at news articles, checking Facebook and Instagram, and checking emails and Tweets.  Now if you do the math, five hours a day means that in a year we will have scrolled 76 precious days of our life away with our faces buried in our phones! This is not walking circumspectly. 

When the Psalmist tells us to “number our days” he is telling us to reconsider how we are spending our time and ask if we are using it wisely. Don’t let the devil steal what little time we have in such superfluous pursuits. Paul also reminds us that to live life to the fullest, we must be willing to forget. Yes, forget the ugly mistakes of the past and the poor decisions that have often defined us, and “reach forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13). Imagine if we would put that simple yet profound command into action. Okay, you said some stupid things this year. You made some poor choices in the past. You have two choices: you can relive those mistakes every day going forward, or you can make the necessary apologies, repent, and ask our loving Heavenly Father for forgiveness, bury them and “press forward.” If Paul could come through a life of poor choices that included taking the lives of good Christian people and become one of the greatest apostles, I think there is hope for us, don’t you?  

Finally, I read these challenges from a well-known preacher, and I wanted to share them with you as I close. Here are a few spiritual disciplines to incorporate into your lifestyle going forward: 

Let God be enough for you. 

Don’t idolize your feelings. 

Quit trying to please everyone. 

Let go of all bitterness. 

Fight against the entitlement mentality. 

Serve others 

Don’t obsess about circumstances. 

Do we want to live or just exist? The choice is ours.