Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.
— Ephesians 5:15

A man on his way home from work stopped to watch a local little league baseball game that was being played in a park near his home. As he sat down, he asked one of the boys in the dugout nearest him what the score was. “We are behind 14 to nothing,” the boy answered with a smile. “Really?” the man said, “I have to say, you don’t look very discouraged.” “Discouraged?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. “Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t come up to bat yet!”

How did 2017 go? Did a glance at the scoreboard bring good or bad news? Well, the better question would be this: How is 2018 going to go? If we are all still here, it is obvious that we still have some more innings left in this game of life. It is time for us to pick up the bats and come to the plate!

So, how can we do what we are called to do in Ephesians 5:15? How can we make wise choices in 2018?

The first step is knowing what our life’s target is. A clear target has to be set. If we don’t have a target, any decision or choice will do. If you are reading this and you’re a Christian, this should be an easy step. We have been assigned a target:

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16

Step two is deciding how our choices are going to be made as we try to hit the target. We have been given tools to help us with this. We have God’s Word. We have Christian friends who can give Godly counsel. We can worship. We can pray and ask for wisdom. If we are going to have a great 2018, we need to use these God-given tools.

Step three is to realize where choices might take us. Don’t end up where you don’t want to be. Realize that decisions have consequences. The Word tells us we reap what we sow. The good news is that 2018 brings new fields where we can sow good seed, grow new crops and then have a great and successful harvest.

Step to the plate. You’re up!