Living with Purpose: Reflecting on the Dash Between
What if tomorrow is your last day on earth? Would you live it on your own terms, or someone else’s? This isn’t just a question to gloss over. It’s a moment to pause and reflect. Life is fragile, and our time is limited. How we live matters. This article might ask more questions than it answers, but sometimes, the right questions stir something deep within us.
The Dash That Defines You
When your time comes, and your life is summarized by two dates separated by a dash, what will that dash represent? Will it speak of love, faith, and perseverance, or will it remain an empty space?
Scripture reminds us in James 4:14: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Life is fleeting, but the impact we leave behind can echo for generations. Will you be remembered as someone who inspired others, or as someone who let life pass by without leaving a mark? This choice is yours.
Reflect for a moment—what are you building today that will outlive you? Are you sowing seeds that will grow long after you’re gone?
Creating a Legacy Today
The time to shape your legacy is now. Don’t wait for a better moment—tomorrow isn’t promised. One of the most life-changing questions you can ask yourself is this: What do I want to be known for?
For me, I want to be known for my passion. Passion for God, for my wife, for my children, and for helping others find healing and purpose. I want people to say, “His word was his bond,” and that I lived with vision and faith, even when the path wasn’t clear.
Proverbs 16:3 encourages us: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Our plans may shift, but when we center them on God, they hold eternal weight.
Faith, Family, and Integrity
I want my children to say, “My dad showed up. He wasn’t perfect, but he was present.” I want my wife to feel loved not just through words but through action. I hope to be a father, husband, and man of God who leaves a legacy of faithfulness.
If you’re married, ask yourself: Are you living up to the expectations you and your spouse once dreamed of? If not, take heart. There’s still time to realign and rebuild. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” When God is woven into your marriage, it strengthens everything.
One of the most powerful things you can do is pray with your spouse. Ask God to reveal the purpose He has for your marriage and your family. This shared pursuit can deepen your bond and ignite new passion.
Time: Our Greatest Asset
How long do you have? None of us know. The real question is: Are you using the time you’ve been given well? If you feel like your life isn’t heading in the direction you desire, why not?
Reflect on this with your spouse or someone close. Discuss what truly matters. Find that God-given passion that ignites your heart and pursue it relentlessly. Life is short, but every day can count.
Psalm 90:12 teaches us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Recognizing the brevity of life inspires us to prioritize what matters most.
Putting Life in Your Years
I love the quote, “It’s not about putting years in your life, but putting life in your years.” Too many people exist without ever truly living. If this resonates with you, it’s time to take your life by the hands and change direction. Make the shifts necessary to live fully so that, at the end of your life, you look back with joy, not regret.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Fullness of life is God’s desire for you.
Consider writing down the areas where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. Reflect and pray over these regularly. Sometimes, small steps of obedience lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
Focus on What Matters Most
At the end of your life, you won’t wish you spent more time at work. You’ll wish you spent more time with your family, pursuing your God-given purpose. Don’t let another day slip by without asking yourself the hard questions.
What truly matters?
What kind of legacy are you building today?
2 Timothy 4:7 offers a powerful reminder: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Let this be the anthem of your life.
Let’s live our lives the way God intended—with passion, purpose, and unwavering faith. And as you reflect, may you take heart knowing that it’s never too late to start living intentionally. May your dash be filled with moments that matter.
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris