Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
For the past two weeks we have been talking about not wasting our lives. In the first post of the series we discussed how short life is and the need to get going, making the most of our days. In last week’s post we explored the idea that our primary aim in life should be to influence others for Jesus. If we fail to do that we will waste our lives trying to hit the wrong target. This week I want to talk about how we need to live intentionally if we each want to live our best life and fulfill the purpose that God has for us.
As mentioned in the first post of this series, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Think about this for a minute – the Creator of the universe has a plan for you. He has uniquely equipped you to accomplish specific purposes in this life. Purposes that the rest of us are not designed to carry out. Purposes that no doubt relate to the mission of sharing Jesus with others.
I am convinced that we will feel most alive and we will live our best life when we are accomplishing the works that Ephesians 2:10 talks about; it is then that we will be fully living the purpose that God has for us. So, how do we ensure that we complete these works? We will not live our best life or fulfill our purpose by simply letting life pass by and hoping purpose happens. To not waste our lives means we must live intentionally.
First, we need to be intentional about seeking God and asking Him about His plan for our life. Consider that God’s plan for your life might be incredibly different and exceedingly better than anything you have ever imagined! Yet, how will you know what His plan for your life is if you don’t ask? Are you intentional about asking God what His plan for you is? Are you willing to take a step of faith when He provides you with direction? What if it is far different than the plans that you have for yourself? If you sense God is leading you in a particular direction don’t hesitate – take that first step of faith!
Second, we need to be intentional about understanding how God has wired us. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes of people watching or spending time at a family reunion to recognize the fact that we are all different. God, in His goodness, has created each one of us differently, uniquely wired to accomplish the works with our name on them.
Two incredible tools that have helped me begin to understand how God has created me are StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath and Live Your Calling by Kevin and Kay Marie Brennfleck. StrengthsFinder 2.0 is a book and online assessment that will help you identify your top five strengths. Live Your Calling is essentially a workbook that will walk you through the Myers Briggs personality test, a Spiritual Gifts assessment among others, and will provide you with a host of thought provoking questions regarding how God created you and how this factors into God’s purpose for you.
When you understand your strengths, unique personality make up, and spiritual gifts you can begin to develop a better picture of where and how God might want to you use.
My tops five strengths are achiever, futuristic, maximizer, positivity and individualization. My Myers Briggs profile is ENFJ. My Spiritual Gifts include encouragement, teaching, leadership, and administration. How about you? More so, how might God want to use your unique make-up to accomplish the works that He has prepared in advance for you?
Don’t waste your life. Live intentionally. Ask God what His plan for your life is. Begin to understand how God has wired you and how this impacts His purpose for you. Then take steps towards accomplishing those amazing works! I can’t wait to see what God will do in and through you when you chose to live intentionally!
