Thursday, February 09, 2006

Day four.........Forever

Hey friends..........It's comforting and also one could say a bit unnerving to know that this life we live now is only a foreshadow of eternity. But we know from the bible that it is true. On another note..........There are a couple of words I've tried to eliminate from my vocabulary. They are: Can't (still working on that one), Lucky, and Forever (not completely eliminating it from my vocabulary, but using it wisely). Can't never did anything. My bible says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Lucky, seems to me, takes glory away from God and places it on luck. I don't believe in luck, I believe in God. I don't ask the stars what my day will hold, I ask God. And for the one we're talking about today.......forever. We've all used this word in silly ways. An example would be, "It took forever for our food to get to us last night." Talk about an oxymoron. If it took forever, we would still be there. We've cheapened the word forever, much like we've cheapened the word love. That's just my two cents worth.....what do you think? OK, now for the question of the day:

"Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing?"

I should stop feeling sorry for myself when "things" don't go my way. I need stop and ask myself, "What value will this hold in 100 years, 1,000 years, 1,000,000 years?" On our local news last night there was a teenager on who had a terminal disease. He's in a wheelchair and only has the use of his left hand......and very limited use at that. The disease is killing him and a few months ago he was in a hospice.....to die. He decided he wasn't done yet. He will be graduating high school in May, and wants to go to college. He draws beautiful pictures and paints as well. He may die tomorrow, but he doesn't let that bother him. The truth is, any of us could die tomorrow. The main thing is to keep the most important things in perspective. There was another young man from this area who recently died of cancer. His story is a great one as well. I'll send a link to his blog over the weekend. (By the way, there's no need to keep silent over the weekend. If you want to post things in here on the weekend, please do.) In other words, I should stop complaining! And as for what I need to start doing. Golly..........I guess there are many things I can think of. I guess too, it would be to be more eternally minded (or would that be mindful?). The impression that I make upon people spiritually is more important that the personal impression I make. I guess that sounds a little confusing. I don't want to be so focused on what I'm wearing, driving, or eating that I miss being a good witness spiritually. Sometimes I can get frustrated and/or upset and even though it's not very often it can be a bad witness to family and friends. And I need to start chilling out. I'm better than I was, but I'm certainly not where I want to be, or should be. :-) James

1 Comments:

Blogger Jerri said...

"Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing?"

More and more, I am beginning to understand how our God, is the God of history; and when I say "history" I include all that ever was, and all that ever will be.

I no longer think in terms of "this life", or the "next life". For me, the only life I have, is my life in Christ.

I'm not sure I can answer today's question, because I no longer live in the world of "shoulds" or "coulds" or "woulds".

I want to love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my mind, just as Jesus has commanded. To do this, I must let go of my own selfishness, my own fear and my own pride; and where I am unable to do this, I must humbly ask God to release them for me.

I want to pursue the kingdom of God, now and forever. I just don't always have a clear picture of what that means or what that looks like in the here and now. I suspect, I would have a clearer picture if I would watch less television and read more scripture.

So, if I had to answer to today's question. That would be my answer.

I would watch less television and read more scripture.

2:58 PM  

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