Don't Waste Your Life

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:20-21)

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." (Romans 14:8)

We have one life to live. How are you living your life?  You and I are not getting any younger.  Will you have any regrets on your death bed? When it's all been said and done, can we say that we did our best to live for God? "Have you ever seen the little plaque that reads, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last?" Well, that's not (all) what the poet wrote. The poet wrote this: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." Do you think all Christians die happy? Not on your life! Some of them die as miserable as sinners. Why? Because they've misused their time and wasted their lives. Many of you have laid dying on a hospital bed and prayed, "Lord, if You would only spare me, I'll do this, that, or the other." Well, have you done it?" (Leonard Ravenhill)

We need to ask ourselves: Are we wasting away our lives?  "God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display His supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.  The wasted life is the life without this passion.  God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives." (John Piper)  How do we use our time, talents, and treasures?  What is our passion in life?  Do we treasure Christ above all else?  "Treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy." (John Piper)  If you have never read Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper yet, I highly recommend it.

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." (Isaiah 26:8)

Lord, I desire to live my life for You! I can never thank You enough for Your grace & mercy and Your love for me. I will always sing praises to You and You alone. I delight in You, in Your Word, in pleasing & honoring You, and in displaying Your majesty. My life is a gift from You and it's Yours; please use it for Your glory and according to Your will. May Your passion be my passion. By Your grace, my life shall not be wasted. In Jesus's name I pray.  Amen. 

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." (Acts 20:24)

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Note (as of Feb. 1, 2018): Today when I was searching on YouTube for the song, "When It's All Been Said and Done", I came across this video that used quotes and words (my prayer) from this blogpost. I was really surprised since the person who posted the video has never contacted me or asked for permission. I am okay with her using them as long as they're used for good. To God alone be all the glory!