Walking the Path with Purpose
The start of a new year can be like standing at the beginning of a long and winding hiking path. What lies before you contains multiple opportunities and choices. For most of us, January brings resolutions, goals, and a desire to get different areas of our lives back on track. However, as the weeks pass, we often veer off on paths not on the trail we intended to follow when we set out on January 1. Some deviations are necessary due to our circumstances, but our straying off course often happens due to laziness or a lack of focus.
These desires we have to get our lives in order are good and godly. God's Word points us to use the time God blesses us with in a deliberate way. In Ephesians 5:15-16 we are exhorted by the Apostle Paul to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." As those who have been set free from sin through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is a call to live intentionally in light of God's eternal wisdom and grace.
As we approach the beginning of 2025, it is an excellent opportunity to assess our lives. What does it mean to make the best use of my time? Paul isn't simply telling us to look busy or fill our lives with monotonous tasks. The calling is to be purposeful in considering God's will and purpose for our lives in all that we do. Each day is a gift, a chance to glorify God and love others. How can we redeem the time and live wisely in a world filled with distractions and temptations?
I suggest three ways to stay focused on our goals and stay on the path we set out on at the beginning of this year.
This begins with daily dependence on God. Our first and primary focus is obedience to God. We know that this is something that we cannot do on our own. We need to be lifted up by the Word and trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture and go to God in prayer. We do not do this simply for discipline's sake. As those saved by His mercy, we delight in hearing the Word and praying to Him. We also desire to be obedient to the will of God, and Scripture is where that is found. Our obedience starts with listening to God.
Focusing on God's Word and spending time in prayer are things we do in quiet places and are an important part of centering our lives on Him. However, we know that we do not live in a quiet world. We step out into a noisy world that competes for our attention. If we desire to redeem the time, we must cultivate a godly focus to keep our eyes on Christ amidst the disruption.
In addition to focusing on God daily through Scripture and prayer, we must remain godly amid distractions.
To remain godly in our noisy world requires intentionality and discernment. We are distracted in hundreds of directions each day. Technology asks for our unwavering attention, and the culture vies for our loyalty. To navigate this, we must train ourselves to focus on what truly matters. Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us of this necessary focus when it says, "lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely," and to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith."
It is difficult to filter out the unnecessary and harmful in our time. Distractions become primary to us instead of fixing our eyes on Christ. With discernment, we need to set boundaries with our devices and activities. In the noise, it is hard to set clear priorities rooted in God's Word, but to stay on our path, practicing regular self-reflection on whether what we are doing aligns with the purposes of God is important. Of course, the distractions will come, but God equips us to stay faithful.
The final point that acts as a compass for us is keeping an eternal perspective. What we do in this life is not an end in itself. We live to the glory of God and enjoy him forever. Colossians 3:2 encourages us to "set your minds on things that are above, not things on earth."
This heavenly mindset reminds us that faith, love, and obedience to God truly matter. The worldly barrage of fleeting concerns and distractions loses its appeal when we are reminded that our time is limited and that each day is a precious opportunity to serve others and glorify God.
This eternal perspective also fuels perseverance. Life's challenges are overwhelming, but we can endure with joy when we know our ultimate hope is in Christ. Romans 8:18 tells us, "For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Knowing this truth assures us that our efforts for the Kingdom are not in vain, and it helps us to press on.
As we progress through this new year, let us live intentionally as we depend on God daily, remain focused despite distractions, and keep eternity in view. As you journey on the path of discipleship, remember that you are a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), and your life is a testimony to God's faithfulness to His people. May we walk in wisdom, knowing we glorify the One who has saved us from sin, death, and hell.
