Her name is Mary Jane. Having married a steelworker, she’s seen the boom and death of a Pennsylvania steel town where they happily raised their children. When the town no longer held any promise for them, they moved to Florida to enjoy their latter years. Today, though, she misses her husband even though he’s been gone a while (she’s uncertain of exactly how long). As she sits gracefully in her wingback chair, Mary Jane understands why she now lives in an assisted living center. It’s because her memory has started to fail her.
Life is incredibly fragile. The apostle Paul reminds us of the great contrast that exists between the everlasting, transforming power of the gospel and our frail, finite humanity. Trials will come, with some seeming as if they will last forever while others appear merely as a blip on the radar of life. But this truth remains: We have but one life to expend for Jesus before we die (Job 14:5; James 4:14).
In the busyness of life, our priorities can seem to be so appropriate and necessary. So much so, with our to-do lists close to our eyes, we lose perspective—unable to see anything beyond the blurry ink on the page, much less the white of the paper in our hand.
For the believer, though, living a full life goes far beyond any “bucket list” of new hobbies or dream vacations. Knowing we were made for eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 2 Corinthians 4:18) should shape our present days so that our lives are not only transformed (2 Corinthians 4:16-17; Romans 12:2), but transformational (Romans 12:11-15).
Our purpose is not to live successful, happy lives. We need “to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Then our lives can truly be a means for others to learn about Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:13-15).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
More:
Read Psalm 116:12-14 to see the context in which we should offer our lives as a living sacrifice.
Next:
Is your to-do list made up of things you want to accomplish or things the Lord has called you to do? How can we discern the difference?
will77 on March 30, 2011 at 5:16 am
Thank You for This great and thought provoking devotion. It makes me want to draw nearer to Him who has the words of eternal life, who has the power to set all people free and live it and share it with all that the Lord brings my way.
May I be a drink offering poured out completely for His Glory
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Dear will77,
Your comment reminds me of one of my favorite passages–the woman who broke a treasured alabaster jar over Jesus’ feet–because she knew what mattered most.
eppistle on March 30, 2011 at 6:03 am
I like your thought – “Knowing we were made for eternity should shape our present days so that our lives are not only transformed, but transformational.” We are called not just to be transformed; we are called to be transformers – to be “more than meets the eye.”
As my mother used to tell me – “only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Dear eppistle–God keeps bringing me back to the truth that rather than praying for Him to change my circumstances, I need to be praying that He would change me. Then, I become an agent of change, one who has the ability to influence the atmosphere around me for the kingdom of God.
Blessings as you serve Him in the small and quiet places.
cuddles on March 30, 2011 at 6:14 am
I have never been more confused because of past mistakes and listening to people in authority whom I believed God had appointed, I am surely among the lost in this world. If I didn’t believe in a life to come then this life would seem meaningless to me. I thought my beliefs would bring me peace of mind but instead I battle with doubts. To some extent I find that non believers or agnostics have more peace of mind than I have because I seem to have too many questions for God. You see if I am asking God questions then where is my faith in him. My friends father once said keep you religion simple and I am starting to realize that there is something in what he said. When I simply say to myself Christ died for all our sins and we are here to help each other along (listen to Elvis gospel – walk a mile in my shoes) then I have peace of mind. It is when my mind is focused on ‘What is going on in this world today’ that I become anxious and overwhelmed as to what possible difference, I who am so totally lost myself, can make in a world which seems totally lost.
Clarence Wong on March 30, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hi cuddles,
I understand the situation you are in. I think my mother is going thru’ the same phase of growth in faith now.
However, I would like to differ in opinion a bit. I like to encourage you to continue to ask The Lord our God questions for He encourages us to do so. Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9, Isaiah 65:24. He hears us and will sure respond in His perfect timing. Tho’ at times He may choose to be silent in His sovereigness for our benifit. Our Lord does not wants us to be oblivious to issues of the world surrounding us as these issues are His issues too. Instead He wants us to be aware of them and rise up to pray about them.
There is a difference between ‘asking God questions’ and ‘questioning God’. A discussion was made on this topic a few weeks back:
http://www.ourdailyjourney.org/2011/03/12/questioning-god/
Those that ask the Lord questions, tho’ they are baffled with doubts, often arise from the other side stronger in faith and understanding in Him. So don’t be afraid to ask Him about things in your life.
Yes, many non believers seems to have more peace of mind in their daily lives. i think that is kind of how the evil one wants it. If they are oblivious and separated from a relationship with God, why bother them. Sending them trials in life will just encourage them to seek God out for help.
As for ‘keeping religion simple’. I think Christianity is not a religion. Its a relationship with God. Where He is our Father / Husband or Wife: a person we confide with personally. Do we want a simple relationship with our family/spouse or do we want a deeper one? That’s why i think we should strive to have a deeper relationship with God, to understand Him more each day. As I was thinking of this, i got this impression that tho’ couples disagree and fight at times, yet thru’ this act, their bonds are strengthen thru the years of their marriage.
How beautiful this relationship we have with The Lord our God. How privilege we are. Praise The Lord!
Clarence Wong on March 30, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Just to add on. Don’t be anxious with the things of this world. Just pray about them and place your trust in God. He will bring his plans to completion. Jesus said, “I will build the Church…” Matthew 16:18. Not us but Him.
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Dear Cuddles,
Perhaps those who do not believe in Christ have more peace because they believe they control their lives–so what seems to be peace is only instead a thin veneer. Tonight as I was spending some time in the word, the scripture I was studying was Philippians 4:6-7. As I prayed for peace in some circumstances–some involving decisions (which I am having difficulty respecting and understanding) made by those I love and have greatly admired in the faith–I was reminded that Christ’s peace passes all human comprehension. If my ability to understand is linked to my peace, then I will not be be able to experience His sustaining peace. In order to reach for His peace, I must give up my need to know, my need to have the pieces all fit into place. As you have so aptly said, the simple truth is that He is God and He is good. And in those truths, He can be trusted.
mike wittmer on March 30, 2011 at 7:30 am
This is a good word, Regina. None of us are promised tomorrow. All we know for sure is that we have this day, well, actually this moment, so let’s live it for our Lord!
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Thanks, Mike. A difficult truth to remember at times but a necessary one. As His children, we are called to be a living paradox–in dying (to ourselves, our agendas) we find life.
sowharvest on March 30, 2011 at 10:43 am
Good message Regina:
What an awesome time to reflect on our “true” purpose for this life so that we “we can be transformed”. Praise be to GOD. I like many of the readers had a misguided since of importance as it relates to self and to whom any accomplishment was derived. I had to have it fall apart for me to realize that nothing absolutely nothing I do is due to my own power and strength because truth be told with the way the world is — we probably wouldn’t want to get out and face it daily. But with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we have hope. HOpe. Thanks be to GOD. “that our light affliction is but for a moment:v.17. Hallelujah.
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Dear sowharvest–Thank you for your words of encouragement. Blessings to you as you serve the Lord with gladness in a world desperate to know hope.
daisymarygoldr on March 30, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Thanks regina franklin for reminding us about the short time we have—to live for Christ!
For me, a good example of a time well spent is the life of Saul who was transformed into Paul. Soon after his conversion, Saul immediately went into the synagogues proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God. Paul spent time teaching large crowds of people at Antioch where the believers were first called Christians.
Without caring for his personal safety, health or comfort, the Apostle Paul spent his life presenting the risen Christ to people throughout the Roman world. Even when bound with chains Paul the prisoner for Jesus Christ served to advance the gospel of God’s Kingdom. Paul’s imprisonment also made the other believers to boldly speak God’s message without fear.
In the short time he had, Paul witnessed to rulers and commoners, poor and the rich, wise and the foolish, strong and weak, Jews and Gentiles, believers and unbelievers. He travelled, preached, performed miracles, planted churches, made tents, and wrote letters. Lives changed radically as multitudes in Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria and his native Cilicia learned about Jesus and the good news of His saving grace.
Paul was truly transformational and his life was totally spent out for Christ. No matter where God leads and places me, it is my heart’s desire to be like Paul and sum up my whole life in this one statement: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”.
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Dear daisymarygoldr–May the Lord give you strength and peace as you fight the good fight and to finish the race well. May you live for the opportunity to make His name known.
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:36 pm
Dear Chileshe,
Blessings to you as well! May the Lord use your story to turn others to choose life in the One who never fails or falters!
regina franklin on March 30, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Very true, Godschild. Recognizing these truths, however, requires our willingness to allow the mask to be pulled back. I believe the church’s ability to influence the world around us means being real with those around us–about our failures, our struggles, our questions. But not just for the sake of showing our frailty but rather to show the sufficiency of Christ because of the power of the Cross.
regina franklin on March 31, 2011 at 6:53 am
Dear William–How beautiful is our God! May the Lord provide all of your needs financially and time-wise for your trip and may the time spent be rich indeed. Blessings!