Colossians 4:2, 5–6 Further Instructions

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)

 

Here is practical instruction on how to live among unbelievers. First, we're to devote ourselves to prayer, which involves the mind and the heart. The mind is to be alert, the heart thankful. We focus on the good, the positive. We look for opportunities to share our perspective on life. If our minds and hearts are in the right place, our conversation will be "gracious and attractive and right." In this context, prayer is a way of life, an approach that is always on the lookout for opportunity and something to be thankful for. And it will bear fruit!

Clarifying Your Unique Purpose

How can we gain clarity in answering the "Why am I here?" question?

 

From the book "Live Like You Mean It" by T.J. Addington I wanted to share a section of this book with you.

 

First, ask God to reveal to you what His unique assignment is.  He created you to join Him in His work. Start to ask Him regularly to reveal His custom-tailored mission to you.

 

Second, ask those who know you best how they would answer that question for you based on the strengths, interests, and aptitudes they observe in your life. Others often see in us wht we do not see in ourselves. Write down your friends' answers and ponder them with an open heart and mind.

 

Third, reflect on how God has used you in the past and how He is using you now. Are there clues about how God has gifted you?

 

Fourth, think about opportunities you have had to bring a little bit of heaven to someone or to some situation in your cicle of influence. In your journal or a notebook, list some of those times and places where you embraced His call on your life. Identifying the ways you have influenced others will provide clear direction in understanding your God-given assignment.

 

Lastly, based on what you currently know, complete the following sentence: "God has placed me on this earth in order to ..." You may not have a final, conclusive answer, but it's helpful to put into words what you believe God is calling you to do.

 

God created each of us for a special purpose, so the most important thing we can do is prayerfully identify that purpose and begin living it out. The alternative is to focus our lives on the common, temporal indicators of success: status, possessions, recreation, and all that is defined as "the good life." But in the end we miss the most important reason God placed us here. True greatness and satisfaction come as we fulfill our divine mandate.

 

...............  As I was reading this section of the book, I felt I just needed to share this with you ..............

Hope you have a blessed day today!

 

READ and REFLECT:

How do the truths of Ephesians 2:10 influence how you see and live your life? What would you like to do differently?

Colossians 3:23–25 - Work willingly at whatever you do.

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites."

 

Whatever we do, we're to do it with an eye not only on this world but on God's kingdom. There will always be some consequence for our actions, sooner or later. This is a spiritual law. This is why God has no favorites; all are subject to the spiritual law that what you sow you will reap. The thing is, the consequences, both good and bad, are not always immediate. We will receive an inheritance, and we will be paid back for wrong. All is future—sooner or later. Consequences are inevitable; make sure you receive the good ones!