Tuesday, July 9, 2024
What’s your preferred method for tackling projects?
I live in an old house that is a work in progress and have a lot of people in my life who are “big picture” thinkers. They like listing all the projects that need done and planning the best ways to complete them.
Me? I like to tackle things one at a time. Long lists overwhelm me. I much prefer to concentrate on one thing, with a clear start, clear steps, and a satisfying end in sight.
Whether we’re talking big picture or a small project, seeing the finish line gives us the endurance to get through each step, doesn’t it?
It’s good to begin with the end in mind—it ensures we’re heading in the right direction, taking the right steps, and doing things properly to reach that eventual goal. Keeping the end in mind also helps us stay hopeful and motivated.
Early into his letter to the church in Titus, Paul makes sure to give us a reminder of our end goal.
Titus 1:1-2
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 2 This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.
Because we know the truth of Jesus Christ—that he is God’s only Son, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again to offer us salvation—we can have confidence in the eternal life he offers us. When we remember where we’re going, it gives us strength to faithfully endure the trials of today as we grow more like Jesus and live out the mission he has given us.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Questions:
Do you have a clear vision of the end goal for your life? How does this impact your daily life?
When you reach heaven and look back at your life, what do you want to see?
Next Steps:
When life is challenging, remember these pains are only temporary. As you make decisions about how you choose to live, consider what’s going to matter most when you get to the end.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the truths you have shown us, and for the good news of all Jesus has done for us. Thank you for the sacrifice you made so that we can have eternal life. Help me to live each day with eternal life in mind, keeping my eyes on you and what matters most to you. May your will be done in me and through me. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Titus 2:14
“He [Jesus] gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
Today’s post was written by Payton Lechner, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.