God has given all of us a purpose for our lives. When we live our lives focused on this purpose, all our efforts, no matter how big or small, will always result in giving glory to God and bringing fulfillment to our lives. Although that sounds really simple and easy, we all know it isn't.
Why? It's because we have an enemy who keeps on trying to distract us. Not only that, we humans are also forgetful.
Distraction and forgetfulness
The Bible warns us that our enemy loves to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10a). He knows that if we Christians are able to focus on what really matters, we will be able to effectively carry out God's mandate for all of us, so he keeps on distracting us with many things. Consider these verses:
"One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 'A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it ... Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants' ... This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God's word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved ... The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity." (Luke 8:4-5,7,11-12,14)
"Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away." (James 1:14)
Know what really matters
Friends, we all have to learn to focus on what God wants us to focus on. Paul said we should know and "understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return" (Philippians 1:10).
But more than this, there's another thing.
Write it down
We should learn to take note of what really matters and write it down in places where we could be reminded of it. Let's consider what God told Habakkuk.
"Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." (Habakkuk 2:2-3)
