GRACE TO LIVE PURPOSEFULLY

BY: ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA

GRACE TO LIVE PURPOSEFULLY

1Corinthians 9:25-27 (NLT), Ephesians 5:15-16 (GNB) …athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.…I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. …be careful how you live. … Make good use of every opportunity you have…these are evil days.

Every athlete knows that there is a certain level of discipline required of them if they are going to be successful in winning the prize. They have a clear focus/target in mind and they organize their lives in such a way that they can prepare adequately to attain that focus/target. From what they eat to how they exercise and train themselves, they are very deliberate about the way they live their lives. They don’t live the same way everybody around them is living. They make great sacrifices and go through rigorous training because they have a vision and focus in mind.

As God’s children and ambassadors of Christ, we too cannot live our lives the way everybody around us is living because we have a focus and a target. There is a race that has been set before us, (Heb.12:1-2). We have been sent by God to preach the gospel to every nation and bring every sphere of influence under the dominion and leadership of Christ. Jesus has sent us into the world just as the Father sent Him, (John 20:21). This focus and sense of purpose must reflect in every thought, word and action you take. As stewards, we are going to give an account of how we lived our lives. Know God’s will for your life and fulfil it every day. Follow the leading of the Spirit. Make every day of your life count. Live with a sense of urgency like Jesus did, (John 9:4).

Prayer.
Heavenly Father, please help me to remain focused and committed to fulfilling your purpose and will for my life every day.