Be Careful How You Walk
Day 2
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Eph 5:
5-17 (NLT)
YOLO. You Only Live Once. There was a time when people were just throwing that around, I mean it’s catchy. It really feeds that youthful erroneous belief that we are invincible and are the heroes of our own stories. So we throw deuces in the air and ride off into the sunset, taking the fact that we only live once to mean that we have permission to live recklessly. Smoke all the pot, attend all the parties, enjoy multiple partners, drink all the alcohol and update your Instagram, snapchat and facebook stories while you’re at it. Whoever made YOLO a thing, was not entirely wrong, it is true that we only live once (in this particular way) but what they forgot to mention was the fact that after you live it up, comes death and the judgement (Heb 9:27). At which point you will have to give an account for how you really lived this one life you had to live, before living in a different way. I know a lot of people don’t like to think about what they don’t fully understand, but not wanting to think about it, is not going to make it go away.
I know what some of you are thinking, swipe that sweat off your brow and breathe a sigh for relief, because you’re surely not living your life like you have no regard for your major internal organs. But guess what? Living your one life well, isn’t just about what you don’t do. It’s also about what you do… do.
Note that Paul in the scripture above, made a clear distinction between those who live like fools and those who are wise. This NLT translation says ‘be careful how you live’, another translation says ‘be careful then how you walk’. I like the use of the word walk because it indicates movement and ability. I believe that whether we like it or not, there is no way we can go through life standing still; if we don’t move deliberately, somehow the world will make us move. I know sometimes we feel like we aren’t going anywhere, but even when we feel like that, time is progressing and as time progresses it brings with it opportunities. What you do with those opportunities is what determines the course of your life.
One who is wise, lives strategically and intentionally, he does not meander aimlessly, but he walks with direction; with a goal in mind. Yes you have one life to live, but how you live it, is what really counts, not whether you have it or not. Even if we had two lives to live, it would still come down to how you walk in the present one:
How you relate to others
The dreams, goals and opportunities you pursue
The time you spend growing spiritually
The time you spend getting to know yourself
What sacrifices you make
What you give up and what you take hold of
Here is what I want you to think about today: There are two ways that you can live your life, like a fool, or like one who is wise. The person who is wise grabs hold of the opportunities, not thoughtlessly, but with an understanding of the will of God for his/her life. If you desire to live intentionally, first you must make a decision to walk in wisdom every day. (Think on these things).
Be a blessing,
KellyP
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Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
