One thing I often tell people is to play it forward; as in what does what you are doing now play out like in your future. We are a product of the decisions we made yesterday, and it's wise therefore to consider how our actions and attitudes today will impact our tomorrow.
Without considering how we behave, think, and believe right now, we can become very short-sighted and follow the popular “live for the moment” perspective. The truth is, what feels good today, may not be beneficial tomorrow or five years down the road. Likewise, some things we desire to achieve in the future aren’t necessarily what we feel like doing today; ie: exercising, getting an education, remaining consistent, dealing with our issues, or making wise choices when it comes to our relationships.
God advises us to live a life above reproach, meaning we seek to live such great lives that all those looking on, and our future selves will applaud, find little or no fault with and be grateful for.
Our decisions and not just our circumstances, are what determines our destiny.
Jesus set the ultimate example of playing it forward when He chose to endure the pain and humiliation of death on a Cross to enable us to live free and forgiven. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) He saw the benefit of playing it forward for our sake and gladly paid the price for us to be set free from the bondage of sin and death.
Today I encourage you think about how the decisions you are making today will play out in the future. Some helpful keys to do that are to:
Choose your relationships with caution and honour those in your world with the best version of yourself.
You don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
‘The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.’ (Proverbs 12:26)
Plan your future with purpose – learn from your past whilst always looking ahead. God has a plan so base your purpose in Him and he will do exceedingly more. (Ephesians 3:20)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Frame your life - frame it with faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
Today choose wisely and play it forward, for every decision has an impact; so, choose the impact you want to have.
Prayer: Lord, please guide me today in the decisions I make and that they are ones I will thank myself for later. Thank you that you direct my steps. In Jesus name Amen.
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