by Pastor Tim Cruse

I love the seasons of the year! My favorite is Fall. I have also learned to embrace and enjoy the seasons of life. What a journey! What a challenge! What an adventure!

As we train our children, we must teach them how to distinguish between what is important and what is not. Consider these 3 principles as we turn the page to the next season of the year and life:

1. God created us for a PURPOSE.

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

The word continuance means a definite period of time; as in from sunrise to sunset. God knows the day of our birth and the day of our death, and everything in between. He did not create a purpose for us. He created us for a purpose.

The great joy in life is discovering God’s purpose for your life, delighting in it and doing it. That is what caught my attention as a senior in high school! I asked over and over in my mind, Why am I here? I wanted to find out why God put me in this world, and then set out to fulfill that purpose.

2. Our purpose determines our PRIORITIES.

“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

And Jesus increased in wisdom (mentally) and stature (physically), and in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially).”
Luke 2:49, 52

When we set out to fulfill God’s purpose and to be about His business, our priorities continually come into focus (“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” Proverbs 4:18). As we walk in the light of the truth, we understand that God is working on us in all areas of our lives to make us more like Christ so He can work through us to reflect His light to this world in need of hope and healing.

Thus, sacrifice and service become not only what we delight in and do, but who we are. All other things of lesser significance are displaced and fall by the way.

3. Our priorities determine our PLAN

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

It’s been said, “A call to preach is a call to prepare.” Whatever God has put a passion in our hearts to do for His glory requires a plan to prepare for it. If we are going to fulfill God’s purpose, our priorities must be reflected in our calendar – “what gets planned, gets done.”

During this season of life, take time to get along with God and loved ones so you can map out your day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year way forward. If it’s priority, schedule it and other things around it – like daily Prayer and Bible reading, family altar, faithful church attendance, Christian service, witnessing, giving, times of recreation and rest, special trips, the holiday season, etc.

“The disciplined life is the fruitful life!” Look to the Lord and He will put His purpose in your heart. Seek to become more like Jesus Christ in heart, mind and spirit. Make definite, measurable plans to serve Him and others in ways you can above all else.

This Fall can be filled with many colors of blessing and opportunity! May the Lord grant it so for us all.