Proverbs 21:5
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
This past week my family and I had the wonderful opportunity to vacation on the beautiful Virginia Beach oceanfront. We spent the week visiting with dear friends and of course many hours playing in the ocean waves.
During one of our extended stretches playing in the ocean, our older two boys (ages 6 and 5) decided they wanted their Dad to teach them how to use boogie boards to ride the crashing waves to shore. After missing a few waves and getting knocked down by a few more they quickly realized that their success in boogie boarding depended on two things. First, they had to take the initiative and position themselves in the right place. Second, they needed to lunge forward onto their boards as soon as their Dad said, “Go!” If they placed themselves correctly and listened to their Dad’s instructions they enjoyed a thrilling ride. If they failed at either task, they missed out.
Isn’t that how it works for all of us in our relationship with God? If we want to live our best life we need to do what is necessary to position ourselves for success, so that we can dive in the minute our heavenly Father says, “Go!” Ultimately, it is when we do those two things that we will enjoy life’s greatest ride!
So how exactly do we position ourselves to live our very best life? Let me suggest three ways.
1. Be in the Word. If we want to do the will of God, we need to be in His Word daily, purposefully growing in our relationship with Him. How are you making the study of God’s Word a priority in your life today? How could you grow in this area?
2. Don’t Just Talk, Listen. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” If we want to hear God’s instructions to us, we need to ensure that our prayers are not one way conversations. Rather, instead of doing all the talking, we need to make sure that we enjoy regular quiet time with God that includes our simply listening to what He has to share with us. What is God saying to you today?
3. Put in the Hard Work Now. It may be that God’s very best for us down the road includes our putting in some needed elbow grease now. Perhaps it’s studying the Bible with a new fervor, going back to school, applying for a new job, starting your own business or ministry, or volunteering at your church or in your community. Whatever it is God is calling you to do, are you willing to put in the hours now so that you will be positioned for the next task God gives you?
Together, let us purpose to live intentional lives! Commit with me to be in the Word, pray continually, and listen to God’s voice. Let’s invest the hours now so that when God tells us,“Go!” we will be prepared and can dive right in.
Let’s not miss out later by failing to do our part now.
What do you need to do today to better position yourself for tomorrow? What is the next step you will take?
