Choices

In Paul’s first recorded sermon (Acts 13) he talked about David. Among some of the other things he says about Israel’s king, there is this: “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep” (vs. 36)

Every time I read that, I’m reminded that everyone dies. Even those who are making or have made a huge difference for God end up being finished with God’s purpose for them in their own generation. We don’t get two chances to serve God’s purpose through our lives—each of us only has one life to give.

I’ve heard that it is an important part of a pastor’s job to remind people that they are going to die. I can’t remember if I heard this from Dan Stewart, read it from Eugene Peterson, or picked it up somewhere else. Regardless, I agree. Christians who forget that they will die don’t quite live their lives in light of eternity; they just kind of get by and tiptoe quietly to the day of their death without Electronic Cigarette making too much noise along the way (I think I got that one from Tony Campolo).

I want to make some noise. And I want you to, as well. Every night I pray that my kids will grow up to be men (and a woman) of God who love Him with their whole heart, and that they will make an impact on their world. I want to pray that right now for you, too!

Yesterday Mike Foster tweeted the following: “i want to live a life where the places i go and the things i do are worthy of bringing a smile to my face when im on my death bed.”

Ditto. And I want to make choices that not only bring a smile to my face at that moment, but also to the faces of my friends and family…and more than that, to my Heavenly Father.

Or, like William Wallace (Braveheart) said, “Every man dies, but not every man really lives”.

I’m ready to really live before I die. How about you?