Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes…

Ephesians 5:16 TPT

Are you making the most of every opportunity? What does that even look like? How do we live each day with intention to shine for Christ?

It can be easy to feel like living Christ-like lives and shining for Him is a burden. But Ephesians 5 tells us that despite the desperation, disillusion and darkness in and around us we are to make the most of every opportunity and “understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17 ESV). Do we do this by being fabulous, holding everything together and generally being an all-round superstar? No. No we do not.

We shine for Christ by letting Him shine on us.

We shine for Christ by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

So when it comes to spending ourselves for God’s purposes (v16) it’s not about running beyond full capacity and burning out. It’s not about being the answer to everyone’s problems. It’s not about signing up to every ministry, PTA, board or club. It’s about following God’s example and walking in the way of love. Of sticking so close to Jesus that we absorb His light and then radiate it to those around us. It’s about listening to the Spirit and following His promptings, walking in His ways. Spend some time in Ephesians 5 this week and ask the Lord to help you lay down your agenda and pick up His.

Spending your life for Christ is the most life-giving, joy-filled adventure you could hope for. Whoever loses their life, whoever spends their life, for Jesus’ sake will find it. Life. And life to the full. Let’s go spend our lives for his purposes.