This is the time of year, between Christmas and the New Year, when we start thinking about making resolutions. We often consider starting a new hobby, becoming more organized, or achieving a new personal or professional goal. The truth is, while these changes we make can be beneficial, they are not what is most important in life. If we want to live lives that are full of meaning and purpose, we have to start by living with the end in mind.
The call to live with the end in mind is found throughout Scripture, including in Proverbs 29. The writer of Proverbs 29 wrote, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild” (verse 18). The King James Version translates that verse this way: "When there is no vision, the people perish." Indeed, when we do not have vision for the future, or divine guidance, we "run wild" or perish. We have all experienced this to be true in our own lives. We have seen how having a lack of vision and divine guidance leaves us aimlessly wandering. It causes us to waste our time and, ultimately, our lives.
What is the alternative to living without vision and divine guidance? The alternative is to live by vision or divine guidance. Where do we find that vision and guidance? We turn to Scripture. We examine what Scripture teaches us about what truly matters and how followers of Christ are called to live. We obey the words in Scripture found in Colossians 3, which say, "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God" (verses 2-3). What do we focus on when considering how to make the most of our lives? We focus on heaven, not the things of earth. In other words, we live with the end, eternity with Christ forever, in mind. As we focus on the end, we set out to be fully devoted followers of Christ and live for what truly matters, knowing Christ and making Christ known.
When we think about this next year, and the years to follow, what if we focused on eternity rather than the things on this earth? What if we focused on the end, eternity with Christ, rather than our present circumstances? Imagine the impact if each one of us kept our gaze focused strictly on Christ and eternity with Him!
Memorize Colossians 3:2-3. Let these verses remind you of the importance of living for what truly matters. Let them encourage you to keep your gaze strictly focused on the end: eternity with Christ forever.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
