Youth is an exciting phase in one’s life. As Benjamin Disraeli once remarked, “Almost everything that is great has been done by youth.” Yet, as George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright and essayist, insightfully observed, “Youth is wasted on the young.” It is an empirically verifiable truth that many young people waste the most productive years of their lives in vain pursuits and chasing after the wind (Eccl. 2:17). Christian youth is no exception.

Our lives are inextricably linked to how we mark the passing of time. The Bible says, “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5: 15-17). We live in a troubled time that is characterized by debauchery, wars, famine, natural disasters, and the breaking of the family. The list goes on. We don’t have to look far and wide to attest the fact of evil. As the famous American, Thomas Payne, once said, “These are the times that try the souls of men.” But, is our present time any more evil than previous ages? I think not. However, the face of evil today is most certainly different.

How then should we live in times like these? I know that this question resonates even more acutely in the minds of Christian young people, as they seek to live their lives in ways that are pleasing to God. Paul exhorts us to live wisely. He says, “Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise” (Eph. 5:15). The word “wise” in the Greek text has the idea of a watchman surveying his surroundings to determine what the situation is and what needs to be done. So what should we be doing in times like these?

First, we must live precisely. Literally, the text says, “Be ye observing accurately how you are walking.” Christianity is not a matter of playing Russian roulette with one’s life. It is not shooting in the dark or living aimlessly. We are to live our lives with exactness as the children of light in conformity to divine standards. To live precisely means to live according to the dictates of the Word of God. In Psalms 19: 7-8 we read, “The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commands of Lord are clear giving insight for living.”

Are you being guided by the word of God? Or are you navigating through life willy-nilly? I challenge you to give yourself diligently to the reading and meditating of God’s word. God’s word and His precepts bring exactness and precision to your life, as you live in a world filled with chaos and confusion.

Second, we must live profitably. Paul says we must redeem the time, because the days are evil. We live profitably when we make use of every opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. The Bible says the sons of Issachar understood the signs of the times in which they lived and knew what Israel should do (1 Chr. 12:32). To be sure, one thing that God is actively doing in our time is preparing the hearts of people all over the world to receive the gospel as never before. Jesus said, “Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest” (John 4: 35). I have witnessed this truth in my own evangelistic crusades in the Philippines, Africa, and in India, as hundreds responded to the gospel call and made their commitment to Christ.

God wants us to be profitable stewards of our time. The time of our life is the most important asset He has given us. We must seize every opportunity we get to herald the glorious truth that in Christ alone all ours hopes and dreams are met. God’s ultimate goal is to establish His kingdom. All of history is inexorably moving towards this goal. Today, globalization has opened unprecedented doors for Christian young people of diverse professions to reach various people groups of the world, even in some hard-to-reach places. In our “Post-American World,” Christian young professionals are offered unique opportunities to reach other unbelieving professionals with the gospel in ways that were not possible before. Yes, we are called to live profitably by seizing the opportunities to share Christ with others and “hastening” the consummation of God’s redemptive plan (2 Pet. 3:12).

Third, we must live prudently. Paul exhorts us saying, “Therefore do not become imprudent, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5: 17). C. S. Lewis says that prudence is a cardinal virtue. Like the hinge of a door, prudence is pivotal for living our lives purposefully. Prudence is generally understood to mean practical common sense or the capacity to think through a situation and discern the implications of our actions. But, our text is calling us to live prudently from a biblical perspective. That is, being able to know what course of action to take that pleases God and secures life. How do we do that? We do it by seeking to know and do the will of God.

What God desires from us is not our offerings and sacrifices, but our obedience to His revealed will. There is nothing we can do for Him to meet His need, for He has none. God is self-sufficient. John Piper said it well: “God is not looking for people to work for Him but people who let Him work mightily in and through them” (2 Chron.16:9). We delude ourselves if we think that we can somehow do “things” for God and meet some intrinsic need He has. This is wishful thinking! The only service we can do is to simply make ourselves available to Him so that He is glorified in us, for God is in the business of glorifying Himself in everything He does. Paul reminds us that submitting to the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to do His will. He writes, “Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.” Submit to the Holy Spirit and be possessed by Him.

Are you living your life in obedience to the will of God? The essence of Christian life is to do His will. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “He who believes obeys; he who obeys believes.” Our faith in Christ cannot be divorced from our obedience to His will. Begin to do what He has already revealed to you through His word. As you obey and do what God has already revealed, you will be positioned to receive added revelation of His will for your life. Obedience and revelation move in tandem.

My friend, I challenge you to take these truths to heart and act with a sense of urgency. Live precisely. Live profitably. Live prudently. These are the marks of a wise person. The world is yet to know what God can do with such a wise individual fully yielded to Him.