How do you build a good life? How do we maximize the time we have? Is there are word from the Lord on these questions?

The Life in Four Quarters series will give us perspective and biblical wisdom for each stage of our lives. The goals of this series:
1) Wisdom for each life stage
2) Understanding and valuing people in different life stages.

Overview of Series
Q1: (Birth to 22) - Laying the Foundation
Q2: (22-45) - Playing to Your Strengths
Q3: (46-70) - Adjusting the Game Plan
Q4: (70+) - Finishing Well

This Week Q1: (22-45) Playing to Your Strengths
When you are in your 20's and 30's, you are experiencing independence from your family. You are adulting with all the joys and challenges that brings. You may have moved for work, started a 1st, 2nd, or perhaps a 3rd career. You may have met the right person and fell in love. You maybe are still waiting and wondering why.

You may be raising a family. You may also be divorced. You may experience greater relationships but you also may be lonely and isolated.
You may also feel stuck, with a marriage, a job, a mortgage, a car payment. You may feel a loss of control. You are just trying to survive.

What is some wisdom during this time of life from God's Word?
1) Your calling is bigger than the job you've taken.
Your job is not your identity. You are a child of God. You may not be able to share your faith in your workplace. But you can treat people with dignity, show patience, and serve without needing to get the credit.

Colossians 3 tells us to work hard as if we are working for the Lord. Many outside the faith won't listen to what we have to say if we are not reliable and hard workers. Integrity earns trust and creates influence.

2) You are Your Habits
That is for good or bad. Your habits over time determine who you become. We reap what we sow. As James Clear writes, "Every action you take is a vote for they typer of person you wish to become."

We need to think in decades not deadlines. Habits such as exercise, relationships, sabbath (a day to delight and rest), giving, discipleship, will shape our life. IF we can establish those early and stack those habits, it will benefit us greatly over time.

3) Tend to your Inner Life early
Many of us have unexamined parts of our lives as a result of experiences in our childhood, teen years. Unexamined pain does not disappear, it leaks. God can redeem your past when you reflect and give it to him.

4) Find Your Family
Prioritize your relationships, with biological family and others who are like family. Ecclessiates 4:9-10 says "two are better than one". We are not meant to do life alone. Avoid Isolation and find your family. Prioritize finding a small group. That is what church is all about, the joys of community.

Jenny Allen in her book, Find Your People, identifies five characteristics to help you find your people:
1) Proximity - Look for people you see often.
2) Transparency - look for people who are open with their lives.
3) Accountability - Find people who will help you to become what you say you want to be
4) A Shared Purpose - Move beyond small talk.
5) Consistency - Find people who will constantly be there.

Application
1) How is God shaping you through your current work?
2) What is one new habit I can start?
3) Do I have someone to talk to be self reflective with?
4) What relationships do I need to take more seriously?