Thinking about my walk with Christ, a chilling question came to mind: “Are you doing all you can?” What if that’s the question the Lord asks of me each day? What if, when we meet Him at last, He asks, “Did you do all you could for me? Did you make the most of every opportunity I gave you? Did you maximize the one life entrusted to you for my Father’s glory?”
To be certain, my response would be inadequate. I’m not doing all I can. I am too focused on my needs and desires and waste hours on things that don’t build the Kingdom and do little to further my walk with Christ. This isn’t the way He calls us to live. (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
I’d love to tell you I’ve got the whole thing figured out and that I never have weak or selfish moments, but I can’t. I’m as human as you are and must redirect my focus every day on doing everything I do for the Lord. The older we get, the more real the waning years become to us. Seeing the sand run out in the hourglass isn’t something I thought much about on the earlier side of 50. If you are younger and reading this, I encourage you to make the most of the time now when you still have an abundance of energy and strength. Life never gets easier, and the disciplines you build now will reap great rewards later.
We should spend our days seeking wisdom because the times are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16) We need the Holy Spirit to guide us in navigating the pitfalls in this world. (John 16:13; Romans 8:14) Every moment we spend pursuing selfish desires is a moment forever wasted and an affront to the Holy God. (James 4:17) We are here to bring glory to Him, and for nothing else. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Isaiah 43:6-7) Our life is not our own but a tool to be used for building up our brothers and pointing the lost to Jesus. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:29) Anything else in life is a fool’s errand and out of step with God’s will. (Romans 12:2; Matthew 7:26-27)
How about you? Are you doing all you can for Christ? In a world of distractions, where are you keeping your focus? Paul instructs us to make the most of our time and to measure the words we say. (Colossians 4:5-6) Our words matter, and we only have so much time to say what we need to. In some ways, we all have a word limit in our lives. Live in such a way that your life continues to speak for Christ and give Him glory after you’re gone. Don’t waste your breath building yourself up, because in the end we’ll all be torn down. (Jeremiah 9:23-24; Psalm 49:16-17) Boast only in Christ. (Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:28-31)
Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Are you doing all you can?” Ask it throughout your day and before you lay your head on a pillow each night. Are you living a life of complete devotion to Him or squandering the one life He gave you to glorify Him? God is gracious and merciful, but He will not be mocked. (Galatians 6:7-8) Don’t suppose you can put yourself first in this life and expect entrance to eternity with Him. True faith results in good works and manifests the fruit of the Spirit. (James 2:17-18; Galatians 5:22-23) No one will sneak into Heaven. As Jesus said, only those who do the will of His Father will taste eternity with Him. (Matthew 7:21) Stop wasting time. Stop wasting your life. Do all you can for His glory, and do it now.