As we continue to come out of lockdown – isn’t this the moment for each one of us to pause (with God’s help), take stock and reflect. To consider how our lives should look as we head into a new season. In fact, perhaps it’s time to reset your life?
“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” (Dave Hollis)
David challenges us in Psalm 37;
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
I believe that sometimes we have taken these verses out of context with more concentration being on the promise than on the action of delighting ourselves in the Lord. It has certainly has been my experience, that as I have tried to put Him first in my life (due to my desire to delight Him) that He has fulfilled so many of the desires that resided in my heart. Of course many of those desires had been shaped by Him as I have surrendered my life to Him.
Time to reset your life?
I believe there are four key areas where it’s time to reset our lives;
Our relationship with God
Make knowing Him your No 1 priority.
No more playing at it or fitting Him in around your crazy busy schedule, but rather making a decision and then devoting time to cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Invest in that most important relationship in your life.
Nothing will benefit you more and in fact everything good in your life will flow from that primary relationship.
I’m going to repeat that – everything good in your life will flow from that primary relationship with God.
Make it your top priority.
Jesus said;
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
How can you do that? Choose a time that works to spend time with God. I find it easiest to rise early and spend time with Him but it may be different for you. Worship. Reflect. Pray. Use some reading notes. Purchase a devotional book that helps you develop your relationship with Him.
Talk to Him regularly during each day. Ask Him to help you re-discover that passion and first love you had for God when you first became a Christian.
Prioritise this primary relationship.
Plus – if you possibly can – get out of isolation and get back to church. Get involved again. Commit. Enjoy fellowship again with other like minded people who are also on the journey of faith. Encourage one another.
Our time
One thing so many of us have enjoyed during the lockdown is the way our lives have slowed down. The hamster wheel existence stopped. We must NEVER let that return. Life is full of so many amazing opportunities, activities and experiences but we simply can’t live at the pace that some of us were doing but rather we should seek to create some margin. Wisdom says that we all need to re-evaluate what is important and what isn’t.
At my Dad’s recent funeral he had chosen the following verse for the pastor to speak on;
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12)
Life is so brief. Time goes by so quickly. We must make the most of the time we have on earth and not waste it. The last year has certainly reinforced that with so many lives tragically cut short.
We must ask ourselves “what kind of legacy am I going to leave behind?”
And then reset our lives to create the legacy we would like to leave.
We must stop wasting time on things of no long term benefit. So – limit time in front of the telly and on social media.
Start that project you’ve been planning. Set some targets.
Take that first step remembering that…
“Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.” (Naeem Callaway)
Our money & wealth
They say that you can tell a lot about a person from looking at their bank statement. What are you spending your money on?
It’s great to enjoy life and all the wonderful material things and experiences we are surrounded by – but surely it’s also time to invest in the things that really matter to God. By the way – one day, we will have to give account for what we did with what God gave us – so let’s be good stewards of everything that He has given us and that includes our money and our wealth.
There is absolutely no reward for being the richest man or woman in the graveyard.
Jesus said some challenging words about this;
““Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Perhaps this is a moment to reset your life and revisit your spending.
Maybe look realistically and through God’s eyes on what you’re spending your money on? Is everything reality necessary? Are there areas where you can save money, cancel unused subscriptions, pay down debt and support what God is doing to build His Kingdom.
I believe the call upon all our lives is to generously invest in building the Kingdom of God.
Our gifts and abilities
God created each one of us with a unique personality and added to that gifts, abilities, passions and desires. In addition we have all experienced different things which have added to who we are. God desires to use all these attributes in our own lives and also for His glory and the benefit of others.
I’m always challenged by this verse:
“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.” (Proverbs. 11:28)
I don’t know about you but I certainly don’t want my life to be a dead life, a stump, a shadow of what it could have been. I want my life to be like a flourishing tree with lots of fruit on it! I desire a God shaped and God filled life.
Perhaps in this new season ahead as you reset your life – it’s time to put something back – find a place to serve in your church, your neighbourhood or local community.
There is so much joy and fulfilment in using what God has given you to serve others. It is so satisfying. In every season of our lives there is a place to use what God has blessed you and I with.
I wrote a blog post that expands this thought entitled, “What are you doing with what God has given to you.”
Time to reset your life?
“Help us to remember that our days are numbered, and help us to interpret our lives correctly. Set your wisdom deeply in our hearts so that we may accept your correction.” (Psalms 90:12)
It’s your life. You get one go at it and it’s soon over. One day you will breath your last breath. Please consider what really matters and make the most of the life you have been given. Make it count for something.
Make it count for God, for your family and determine to leave a lasting legacy.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ NEXT?
If you’ve enjoyed reading my blog you might wish to try one of our books. All have been well received and are available on Amazon.
“Imagine” is all about trusting God as you journey through life and how to really discover and experience the abundant life that God planned for you before you were born. It’s been used in many churches as a Sunday teaching series and in small groups. “Imagine” is available on Amazon here.
“Courage for the discouraged” was only published in November 2020 and has already touched and changed lives. It has been described as “a book of help and a book of hope” and “encouragement on steroids!” It can also be read as a 30 day devotional as each chapter contain readings and suggested prayers. It’s available at all good online bookstores and on Amazon here.
My wife’s book “End of the beginning’ is a truly powerful book charting her journey from widowhood to finding Christ – it’s full of honesty and transparency. Bit it’s not just a story of hope in the midst of loss – it’s a story of finding freedom from anger, hurt, failure and discovering purpose and fulfilment in Christ Jesus. It’s available on Amazon here and all good bookshops.