Socrates said, "The unaware life is not worth living." Are you aware of your life? It is so easy to live an unaware life. If you haven’t stopped and thought about what you are doing and why you are doing it, then you are living an unaware life. That is not a good way to be living.
I think you need to be asking your life questions on a regular basis. I haven’t always practiced this way of thinking. I remember the first time I did. It was when I was in my thirties and several years before the year 2000. I pondered whether Jesus might be coming back in that year, the year before I turned forty. Well, I am past forty and He has returned yet, but He did help me become more aware of my life. When I was thinking that He might be coming back soon, I asked myself, "What do I want Him to find me doing when He returns?" I actually made a list. It was interesting that I found the list when I was doing the research for my latest book, Passion on Purpose (Focus on the Family, 2003). I was able to share the exact list with my readers. It included things like not worry about house, clothes and car. Keeping focused on teaching Bible studies and writing books. Focusing on paying off my bills and raising my children to love God and serve Him.
So many of us need something to shake us back into the reality of the ways we are living our lives. Simply taking the time to step back and look at what you are doing is the beginning to living an aware life. Jesus tells us to go further than just being aware. We need to stop and ponder what is really important. Do you want to live your life according to what is important to Jesus?
Jesus is very clear about what He is looking for in our lives. He motivates us to live our lives this way by promising rewards in heaven. There are many places in Scripture where Jesus attaches specific rewards to specific behaviors or service to Him. The seven that I focus on in the book are:
- Jesus gives heavenly rewards to those who use their financial resources for His kingdom (Matthew 6:19-21).
- Jesus gives rewards for the spiritual disciplines we practice with the right motives (Matthew 5-8; 1 Cor. 9:17; 1 Cor 4:5).
- Jesus gives rewards for standing up for your faith (Matthew 5:11-12; Luke 6:22-23; Rev. 2:10; James 1:12).
- Jesus gives rewards for the way you treat others (Matthew 10:40-42; Luke 14:12; Hebrews 6:10; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:32-35)
- Jesus gives rewards for dedicating everything you do to glorify God (Col. 3:23-25; Romans 12:1).
- Jesus gives rewards for keeping God’s Word pure (2 John 7-8; Rev. 2-3)
- Jesus gives rewards for being watchful for His return (2 Tim. 4:8; Luke 12:35-48; Mark 13:32-37).
Are you living an aware life? Do you know what you are doing and why you are doing it? Do you know what Jesus wants you to be doing? Take some time be become more aware today.
