I know there are many notions about the subject of life. These notions most times, are borne from peoples' experiences per time, and how much they have been able to make out of it. Therefore, we can say that whatever we have come to hold to be true about life, are largely perceptual. But there is something about perception though, it is largely individualistic in nature. People who have a different experience different from yours usually would find it difficult to accept what you are proposing to them. The reason is because they know what they had experienced, and therefore; it becomes difficult to talk them out of it. This is why we have different opinions as to what life really is.

But I have come to hold to be true, that life is first and foremost a gift. Before we came to whatever conclusions we all have today about life, it is first a gift. Wow, a gift; from who? It is from God. The origin of life began from God really. In case you are wondering which of the life I am referring to; is it the Supernatural life or the Natural Life? Well, I am talking about the natural life here in this piece, the one the Greek referred to as "Psuche." It is different from the Supernatural life that Jesus talked about in John 10:10. I think this understanding would help us going further.

When you read the Scriptures, the Bible makes it clear that God made man in His own image, and then He breath into the Nostril of man, and the man became a living soul. I know you have read this portion of the Scripture a couple of times, or your Pastor may have preached about it in the past, so; we don't need to dwell so much on it here. In case you are not sure, you can read Genesis chapters one to three, the account is there. So the point is this; God is the maker and giver of life. That tells you, that life; your life, is a gift from God.

So, what then was this gift for? Why did God give me/us life? Because you need to understand what a gift is meant to achieve in order to use it wisely and appropriately. Why has not this gift been taken from me? Am I using it the way I should use it? Is the giver of the gift pleased with the way I have used it so far? These questions are what gave birth to this title: "Time to Re-evaluate Your Life", because it is pertinent at this juncture of your life to really have a one-on-one discussion with the one who gave you this life. Is God pleased with your life so far?

Because one thing is certain about this special gift, you are going to give account of how you used it. It is unlike the other kinds of gifts that you receive or have received in the past, in which the giver don't care what you make out of them.

Life is not like that. God is interested in how you use this particular gift. This is why He gave you a manual in the first place, which is the Bible; to guide you in the effective usage of it. You see, there is nothing that is given or made that is not meant to fulfill a particular purpose. Now in case you are wondering, why did God give us life?

The reason is to fulfil a purpose! You may ask, what purpose? The answer is God's purpose. God's plan is to rule and reign on the earth, and the only way He could do that is through you. This is why He made you in His image first (a spirit being), and then gave you a body to find expression on the earth that He has made just for you. The question then is this: is your life fulfilling this purpose? Is your life bringing glory to God, or is it bringing shame to His name? Can God look down from heaven and be happy with the way and manner you are living on the earth right now?

Can you be bold like King Hezekiah who pleaded with God to add more to his years simply because he was yet to finish God's assignment on the earth? (Isaiah 38:1-8). Think about this for a second. This piece is meant to make you have a re-think about your life so far, and then set you on the right path once again.

Your life shouldn't be defined by your experiences, but by the word of God; the one who gave you the life. You see, experiences are one thing, and living your life for the purpose it has been created for is another thing. To say that your life has not been made for a purpose is to be living in denial. Someone may be wondering then; are experiences not good? I am not saying it is bad to have life's experiences. What I am saying is that those experiences are meant to be a vehicle that takes you further into fulfilling your life's purpose. Those who have allowed life's negative experiences define who they are/were, are the ones you hear and read about today committing suicides and ending their own lives abruptly.

When you are in the business of fulfilling God's purpose for your life, there is nothing like thinking of taking your own life, simply because God is pleased with you. You cannot leave the scene abruptly, until that purpose is fully accomplished. God granted Hezekiah's wish of fifteen more years, simply because he needed to complete the task before him. Purpose should be what drives your life and not negative life experiences. If there is anything I want you to take away from this piece, it is that your life is beautiful and good, if you are in God's purpose for you.

What then do you need to do? Just find out what your life has been made to do. There is something in the agenda of God for your destiny. You can find it out, they are on the pages of the Bible. David understood this, and then he wrote in Psalms 119:6-9. It says:

"How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it." (MSG)

Notice the usage of some words. It says "a young man or a young woman shall live a clean life by carefully reading the map of the word of God." I believe you understand what a map does, isn't it? One of the function of a map is that it shows you the details and different parts of something. It also guides you to a specific location, if you follow it thoroughly. There is no other place you can find the original purpose of God for your life other than the Scriptures. The Bible is the manual or the map; that accompanied the gift of life that God gave you from the beginning.

Let me reiterate once again, that it is the word of God that should define your life and living, and not your experiences. Your experiences are limited, but God's word is unlimited. As a matter of fact, it is God's word that can lift you out of those difficult life's experiences. So, re-evaluate your life today, and remain committed on the path of purpose. Enough of living your life recklessly, because you are going to give account of how you use it to the giver.

It is never too late to have a rethink, you can begin right now; if you would yield to the voice of the Spirit, calling for your attention.

God bless you.

Source: [Hubpile]