Eugene G. Grace, president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1916 to 1945 said: ‘Thousands of engineers can design bridges, calculate strains and stresses, and draw up specifications for machines. But a great engineer is the man who can tell you whether the bridge or the machine should be built at all, where it should be built, and when.’

Asking why before how forces you to think about your core motivations and the source of your vision. There is much talk these days about ‘purpose’. And that’s a good thing, because a life of purpose is more rewarding than a life of popularity or power. But your purpose must come from God.

‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord.”’ When God is the source of your vision, He will resource it. That’s why the most important question you can ask is not, ‘What’s the best way to do this?’ but, ‘Why am I doing it at all?’

Ultimately God will make the final ruling on what you have given your life for. ‘Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work… endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss.’ (1 Corinthians 3:13–15 NKJV)

Missionary and cricketer CT Studd wrote: ‘Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.’