Plans for Your Life

Several years ago, while traveling on business to the UP of Michigan, I spotted a billboard that made me laugh, and also made me think. The sign simply said 'Buckle Up - We Can Wait,' and it was sponsored by a local funeral home!I've remembered that sign all these years because it was very clever - humorous, and yet it had a very serious message... buckle up and you'll live longer -- but eventually you'll be one of our customers!'

Although death is inevitable, unless the Lord returns for His church first, Christians do not fear death. This is because we know that when we die, we will go directly to be with the Lord - and we'll be fully alive with Him forever... 'To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord,' (2 Cor. 5:8).

But we don't know how long we have on this earth. We have no idea. We know the average life expectancy we can shoot for, but only God knows the number of a man's days.

One of Satan's biggest lies is the one that says there's plenty of time.' He doesn't come right out and say there's no God - because most people would not believe it. And most people - even those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior - realize instinctively that they need Him. Of course, Satan tries desperately to convince people otherwise, but it's a much harder 'sell' than the lie that says we have all the time in the world.

This lie, that there is plenty of time, works on both the saved and the unsaved alike. For those who have not yet trusted Christ, they figure there's plenty of time - they can have fun while they're young, and later they can get serious about God. Sadly, for some, 'later' never comes.

As Christians, we know we are saved, and that we'll live forever with Christ in Heaven. Our salvation and eternal destination is not in question. We know that peace awaits us when we finally return home to be with the Lord.

But we have another problem to deal with. What about life in the 'here and now?' How many of us Christians are really experiencing the joy of the Christian life, and the many blessings God would like to give us?

Are we really happy? Is there real joy in our hearts and our homes? Or are we bogged down in the cares of this world, working at our jobs, trying to keep up with the bills, 'dealing with,' instead of really raising our kids, arguing with our spouses, moving from one crisis in our lives to another? Are we living fruitful, joyful Christian lives, or do we figure there will be plenty of time for such things later - perhaps after the current crisis? If we were ever accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?

Recent surveys by Barna Research suggest that there is no substantial difference between the divorce rates of Christian couples and non-Christian couples.

This is just one of many statistics suggesting that far too many Christians today are not living their lives in sync with God's plan for them. Far too many of us are not walking with the Lord the way He wants us to, and for that matter, the way WE ourselves would like to.

So if this is true, then why aren't we? Besides the fact that we believe we have plenty of time to improve our Christian walk 'later,' it's an age-old problem...sin(s) -- rebellion, selfishness, laziness, complacency, just to name a few. Many of us have fallen into an unhealthy lifestyle filled with these things, instead of the many blessings God is eager to give us. Because of our fallen nature, and the fallen world around us, these sins come naturally to us.

I remember the first time I read the Bible all the way through. The Old Testament has a recurring theme:God's chosen people follow Him, and they are blessed.Then when things are going well for them, they forget God and turn away from Him, and suffer terrible consequences.I remember thinking, 'Why don't these people ever get it?'' 'Why don't they understand that when they follow God's plan, they are blessed, and when they don't, disaster is sure to follow?'

When you read the Bible completely through at one time, you can see the pattern.But when you're busy living your life, many times you can't.

You see, Satan isn't a very good sport, and he doesn't give up without a fight. Even though, as Christians, our eternal destiny is secure in Christ, Satan will do his level best to neutralize us, make us ineffective and useless to the Kingdom of Heaven. Even worse, he will try to control us for his own purposes. We suffer the effects of an on-going spiritual war within us.

God's Word tells us, 'When you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism, hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong, except those in your own little group - and there will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort of thing. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.' (Galatians 5: 19-21 Living Bible).

Does anything there sound like your life?

There is hope. The text continues: 'But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.' (Galatians 5:22 Living Bible).

Does anything there sound like your life?

Most of us can probably recognize within ourselves some of the qualities from each of these lists. While we are here on this earth, the spiritual warfare is a daily battle. And because Satan is so diametrically opposed to God's plan, this warfare can be especially intense for those of us who are Christians. But make no mistake: the power of Satan and the power of God are NOT equal. When you belong to Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within you, and the Holy Spirit's power is infinitely more powerful. Ok...so how do we make that power real to us in our everyday lives?

God, in His infinite wisdom created us with free will and choice. We have the option to choose Him, or not to.

Once we have accepted Christ, we then have the option to follow him, to walk with Him or to sit there like a bump on a log! If we are not actively walking with Christ and following Him daily, we can easily fall into an unhealthy lifestyle where we produce little or no fruit. By going this route, we forfeit all the many blessings God has for us.

If, on the other hand, we use our free will and choose to actively follow Him, then the Holy Spirit will help us, and we will receive the blessings God has promised us. 'When you draw close to God, God will draw close to you,' (James 4:8).

In our own power, it is very, very difficult. But the Lord has promised to help us...to send His Holy Spirit if we will only seek Him.

Have you bought into the devil's lie that there's plenty of time (later) to improve your walk with Christ? Have you fallen into an unhealthy and unproductive lifestyle? Are you where you would like to be in your Christian walk, or do you find yourself lacking the fruits of the Spirit?

I urge you to begin making changes today. Don't let Satan neutralize you, keep you just sitting there. I urge you to get up and do something, to draw close to God today. And He WILL draw close to you! But you need to use that free will and make the choice to take the first step.

Recently, I met a man with a wonderful testimony. He was living apart from God and suffered the consequences of that lifestyle. But the Lord saved him and today he is helping others strengthen their own walk with Christ, with solid biblical teaching and direction. I mention him here, because I think you would be blessed to get to know him.

The man is Steve Rose of Neenah, author of the book Leap of Faith: God Must Be A Packer Fan. I'd like to join the scores of others, including the many pastors and Christian leaders who have publicly endorsed his new book.

The new book is called 7 Steps From Your Dreams To Your Destiny, and it will give you a solid plan to break the old habits, get out of your non-productive lifestyle and draw close to God. You can reach Steve by calling 1-800-236-1549.

Many of us would like to make changes. Many of us are unsatisfied with the quality of our walk with Christ. And this too, is a gift from God...He longs to be with us, to bless us, to love us, and He gives us this yearning for Him to draw us to Himself. Take that step today to make the positive changes you so desperately desire...turn to Christ, draw close to Him, and He will draw close to you!

By Rob Pue