Do Not Waste Your Life: Live for Eternal Glory

Beloved child of God, you were not created for mediocrity. You are not called to drift aimlessly through life, filling your days with trivial distractions, fleeting amusements, and the empty entertainments of this world. You were made for something far greater. You were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, set apart for a high and holy calling, and destined for eternal glory in His presence (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, do not squander your days on that which is perishing, nor trade the riches of eternity for the cheap trinkets of time.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Your time is a gift from God. Every hour is a stewardship, entrusted to you by your Creator for His purposes. One day, you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for how you spent your life (2 Corinthians 5:10). Will you be found faithful? Will you have invested in the kingdom of God, in the souls of men, in the pursuit of holiness? Or will your years be found wasted on things that have no eternal significance?

The Danger of Trivial Pursuits

Many things in life are not inherently sinful, but they are weightless, unworthy of the attention and devotion of a child of God. Hobbies, sports, entertainment, social media, and video games—though not evil in themselves—can easily become snares that entangle the soul and steal precious time from the Lord (Hebrews 12:1). If left unchecked, these lesser pursuits can dull your affections for Christ, distract you from prayer and the Word, and render you ineffective in the work of the kingdom.

Jesus warns, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If our hearts are captivated by fleeting pleasures, they will not burn with zeal for God. If our minds are filled with endless streams of worldly amusement, they will not be renewed in the knowledge of Christ (Romans 12:2). The question is not merely whether a thing is permissible, but whether it is profitable (1 Corinthians 10:23). Does it stir your soul toward holiness, or does it leave you spiritually sluggish? Does it prepare you for eternity, or does it anchor you to the temporary?

A Life Set Apart for the Glory of God

Oh, Christian, do not be conformed to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2). You were created for worship, for holiness, for the pursuit of God’s glory in all things. You were redeemed to shine as a light in a dark and perishing world (Matthew 5:14-16). Your years on earth are brief, a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). Do not waste them.

Instead, devote yourself to what is excellent, noble, and eternally fruitful. Seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Fill your heart and mind with the riches of Scripture, for the Word of God is more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10). Labor to cultivate wisdom and godly character, for “an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5). Train yourself in godliness, for it holds promise both for the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Redeem your time by pursuing the knowledge of Christ. Read books that stir your affections for God. Surround yourself with saints who will sharpen you as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Engage in meaningful conversations that edify and exhort. Pour yourself into the work of the Lord, for your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Love the church, serve the needy, disciple the younger, evangelize the lost. Live with eternity stamped upon your heart.

A Call to Redeem the Time

Dear Christian, hear the words of Christ: “The night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). Soon, your days on this earth will be done. The opportunities you have now—to serve, to love, to evangelize, to grow in grace—will be gone. Let not regret mark your final hour. Instead, let your life be one of faithful devotion, poured out as a fragrant offering before the Lord. Let your days be spent in pursuit of that which will echo into eternity.

So flee from the empty pursuits that weigh you down. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). Seek Him earnestly, serve Him wholeheartedly, and live in such a way that when you stand before Him, you will hear those blessed words:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Master.” (Matthew 25:23)