Do not live for the sake of living. Do not allow yourself to be mixed up. Choose wisely, decide sensibly, live for a purpose and be happy. In the book of Ephesians 5:15 the Bible strongly urges us to be careful how we live by not living like fools, but like those who are wise.
In this article, I would therefore like to mention a few things that will help us to live wisely and they are as follows:
- Make correct choices
Living wisely is about how you make choices of whatever life presents to you – good or bad. Each day presents to us a variety of choices ranging from trends, friends, lovers, food, apparel, lifestyle, careers, places of interest, even churches and pastors. And, all these impact and shape our lives either positively or negatively. They either build or destroy us. Wisdom comes in making a correct choice in the assortment of choices.
Proverbs 14: 8 says “the wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.”
Give it a thought before making a choice. This will help you avoid regrets. Some of the choices will stick with you as long as you live. Some will haunt you the rest of your life.
The story of wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7 gives a good lesson on making correct choices. The wise builder chose to build his house on the rocks and it withstood the storms. The foolish builder chose to build his house on the sand and it collapsed during the storms.
- Make prudent decisions
Do not rush to a conclusion or decision. Think and think again. If you have to seek advice, guidance or counselling, do so. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated, threatened, coerced and blackmailed into take a decision. Take your time. Give it a thought.
In Luke 15, the prodigal son took a decision to demand his share of his inheritance from his father. He got all he wanted and left. But he later regretted his decision when he had spent all he had. He had to swallow his pride and go back to his father.
Proverbs 14:12 warns us about seriousness of decision-making as it tells us that “sometimes a way seems right, but the end of it leads to death.” Think carefully. Decide thoughtfully.
The decisions we make today will make us happy or regret tomorrow.
- Pursue your purpose
The question you should always ask yourself is this: “Why am I?” You are here on earth for a purpose. God designed you for a purpose. Discover your purpose. Pursue your purpose. Do not live for the sake of living. God knows why you here on earth. He said He knows his plans for you, Jeremiah 29:11.
And also Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s handiwork, created to do good works. There are good works waiting for you to do. Each one of us has his/her own good works to do. Go on and discover what drives you and what gratifies you. This will give you satisfaction in life and a reason to live for.
- Choose to be happy
Life is too short to be lived in bitterness, anger and sorrow. Do not allow the devil, the worldly distractions and life challenges to steal your joy. Allow God to fill your heart with happiness.
Proverbs 17:22 says “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”
Habakkuk 3: 17 – 18 says even when things are not going well I will choose to be happy and rejoice in the Lord. The book of Philippians 4:4 commands us to “rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice.” In Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
LIVE WISELY….AND BE HAPPY.
**Pastor Matefu Mokoena is the Presiding Pastor of the Batho Assembly of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in Bloemfontein
