What is Your Life?
As a mom, I have found that the demands of this very chaotic life have shaken me to evaluate how I manage my days.
In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul urges, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” To the church of Colossae, when encouraging them as to how they should witness, he similarly says, ”Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” (Col. 4:5) Paul knew time was finite, and he directs the church to live with a sense of urgency. So how do we steward our time—which James 4 tells us is “but a vapor”—well?
We reflect on the past:
We must constantly be reminding ourselves of Christ’s sacrifice. Like the Israelities, we so easily forget the captivity we were in before God intervened and even sometimes choosing to stay in bondage that we have already been freed from (Ex 14:10-14). Prone to drift from the hope that the gospel brings us, we become numb, angry, pessimistic, anxious- engulfed in our circumstances and relying on our own strength to get through each day. We are not meant to do this on our own. I’m faced with this reality as I navigate the often grueling difficulties of parenting. I need the gospel in every moment. So feast on the precious daily bread of God’s word. Reflect on His sufficiency and the work of the cross that can redeem every part of your day. Time is finite, but our God is not.
We are transformed in the present:
Today, distractions are attacking us from all sides and busyness and achievement are highly praised. To remain faithful in our callings on this side of eternity, we must “walk wise” by evaluating what our minds are fixed on. If we value being busy for the sake of productivity, well, we know the story of Mary and Martha; are we doing so much that we miss out on the benefits of being at the feet of Jesus or the great banquet He has prepared for us because we have something better to do (Luke 14:15-24)? It’s important that we stay aware of what in this world is fighting for our attention and affections. And then, instead of conforming and being choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life (Luke 8:14), we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We cannot have our minds be both fixed on Jesus and on the world. It’s impossible. This is a transformation that must happen continuously, but boy, does it change how we live each day!
We live in light of the future:
In his book about eternity, Paul Tripp says, “Much of our distress at what is, is really a hunger for what will be.” Coming from one of the hardest seasons I have personally experienced throughout 2019, I know life can be tough. But I am quickly humbled if I ask myself whether how I live daily is impacted by the fact that I will be face-to-face with my Savior some day. What a GIFT it is to be a follower of Jesus! He is preparing a place for us (John 14:3) and in that day, we will be fully satisfied in glory. Therefore, we wait expectantly as we anticipate a new city (Hebrews 13:14) where suffering will be no more, and we walk freely with our Maker, we rejoice in AWE and anchor ourselves to this eternity, and then we declare to others this hope. Living in light of eternity makes facing the troubles of each day easier as we prepare for what is to come. But, it also shows us that what we do today matters and that we have a duty to proclaim this hope to those around us. What’s at stake here? Absolutely everything.
As I write this, my 3 year old is singing (loudly) one of his favorite songs right now. I am humbled by this gospel reminder coming from the lips of my little one. Thank you, God, for this gift today.
“Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ!” [click to hear the full song: “All Glory Be to Christ”]
As we seek to make the most of our time, may our strive be not in vain, but to glorify our loving King in all things. And may Christ be the name we proclaim and the treasure that we seek. Every day. Every hour. Every minute.
About the Author
Sasha Cash serves at Gospel Community College Hill alongside her husband Tyler. They have two rambunctious boys that keep her busy. She enjoys the outdoors, anything creative, old school R&B, and studying the scriptures. She is passionate about equipping women to read and study the Bible for themselves, as well as encouraging them to use their gifts to glorify God on this side of eternity.
In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul urges, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” To the church of Colossae, when encouraging them as to how they should witness, he similarly says, ”Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” (Col. 4:5) Paul knew time was finite, and he directs the church to live with a sense of urgency. So how do we steward our time—which James 4 tells us is “but a vapor”—well?
We reflect on the past:
We must constantly be reminding ourselves of Christ’s sacrifice. Like the Israelities, we so easily forget the captivity we were in before God intervened and even sometimes choosing to stay in bondage that we have already been freed from (Ex 14:10-14). Prone to drift from the hope that the gospel brings us, we become numb, angry, pessimistic, anxious- engulfed in our circumstances and relying on our own strength to get through each day. We are not meant to do this on our own. I’m faced with this reality as I navigate the often grueling difficulties of parenting. I need the gospel in every moment. So feast on the precious daily bread of God’s word. Reflect on His sufficiency and the work of the cross that can redeem every part of your day. Time is finite, but our God is not.
We are transformed in the present:
Today, distractions are attacking us from all sides and busyness and achievement are highly praised. To remain faithful in our callings on this side of eternity, we must “walk wise” by evaluating what our minds are fixed on. If we value being busy for the sake of productivity, well, we know the story of Mary and Martha; are we doing so much that we miss out on the benefits of being at the feet of Jesus or the great banquet He has prepared for us because we have something better to do (Luke 14:15-24)? It’s important that we stay aware of what in this world is fighting for our attention and affections. And then, instead of conforming and being choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life (Luke 8:14), we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We cannot have our minds be both fixed on Jesus and on the world. It’s impossible. This is a transformation that must happen continuously, but boy, does it change how we live each day!
We live in light of the future:
In his book about eternity, Paul Tripp says, “Much of our distress at what is, is really a hunger for what will be.” Coming from one of the hardest seasons I have personally experienced throughout 2019, I know life can be tough. But I am quickly humbled if I ask myself whether how I live daily is impacted by the fact that I will be face-to-face with my Savior some day. What a GIFT it is to be a follower of Jesus! He is preparing a place for us (John 14:3) and in that day, we will be fully satisfied in glory. Therefore, we wait expectantly as we anticipate a new city (Hebrews 13:14) where suffering will be no more, and we walk freely with our Maker, we rejoice in AWE and anchor ourselves to this eternity, and then we declare to others this hope. Living in light of eternity makes facing the troubles of each day easier as we prepare for what is to come. But, it also shows us that what we do today matters and that we have a duty to proclaim this hope to those around us. What’s at stake here? Absolutely everything.
As I write this, my 3 year old is singing (loudly) one of his favorite songs right now. I am humbled by this gospel reminder coming from the lips of my little one. Thank you, God, for this gift today.
“Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ!” [click to hear the full song: “All Glory Be to Christ”]
As we seek to make the most of our time, may our strive be not in vain, but to glorify our loving King in all things. And may Christ be the name we proclaim and the treasure that we seek. Every day. Every hour. Every minute.
About the Author Sasha Cash serves at Gospel Community College Hill alongside her husband Tyler. They have two rambunctious boys that keep her busy. She enjoys the outdoors, anything creative, old school R&B, and studying the scriptures. She is passionate about equipping women to read and study the Bible for themselves, as well as encouraging them to use their gifts to glorify God on this side of eternity.
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