Day 56: Don't Waste Your Life

Reading: Proverbs 6:1-11

There are many great words of advice throughout Proverbs that show us how to stay out of life's various traps. Today's reading, though talks about mastering self-discipline and being a hard worker. One way we don't waste our lives is by putting these things into practice. This passage warns very sternly about laziness and failing to be self-motivated. When we fall into debt, we spend our lives trying to get out of that hole. This Proverb says to swallow your pride and beg to get out of debt. Work hard to pay it off. A hard worker gains much when they develop their character, because they realize the value of self-discipline and self-motivation. Sitting around, and waiting as life passes by is a good way to waste it. We need to go hard in God's work, completing the tasks He's laid before us.


Reading: Mark 8:14-9:1

Jesus calls us to lose our lives for His sake, and we will find life. Though this sounds daunting and scary, it is necessary to be changed for Christ and the mission He calls us to do. We see Jesus warn against the yeast of the Pharisees, and while this confuses the disciples, it means to not let them affect your lives with their works and rituals. Yeast works through the entire loaf of bread, and the ways of the Pharisees were able to do the same. Don't envelop your life with ritual and legalism. Instead, Jesus calls us into a life of service for Him. To take up our cross daily, and deny ourselves, meaning to not get wrapped up in the things of this world, but to remember the ways of heaven and the poor that so desperately need to know Jesus. Instead of focusing on the next gadget, fashion or fad, focus on the mission of Christ.
Peter knew exactly Who Christ was, but he didn't understand the mission. So many times we make the same mistake. We know Jesus is our Savior and Lord, but we fail to do anything about it. We may call ourself a Christian, but our lives don't reflect that at all. Don't fall for the things of this world, because gaining it will cause you to lose your soul.


Reading: Exodus 37:1-38:31

Living all out for God means we put our best work forward at all times. This applies when we're not only serving God in the ministry we're passionate about, but in the jobs or careers we face each day, no matter how daunting they seem at times. We see the hard, tedious work Bezalel puts in as he constructs the various parts of the Tabernacle. His heart is full of the passion for God's work and God's work ethic. I can't imagine how long and how hard it must have been for him to mold and shape every detail of the lampstand alone. The dedication and detail that Bezalel put into his work is a great example of living his life for meaning and passion. May we take the example from him when we look at our own work ethic in every aspect of life.


Going through life without a notice to it's meaning is depressing. Jesus calls us to a higher standard and a higher calling, as we are to take up our cross daily and choose to sacrifice our plans, agendas, work, loved ones, etc, for His sake. When we choose to lose all the things the world offers, we will gain the ultimate life through Christ. Don't waste your life, find it.