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Good morning, friends! I've got this crazy, old country song running through my mind this morning. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it just made me laugh years ago when I first heard it. It says something like: God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy. Can't tell you who sings that. I could care less. It made me laugh. Really, it's no laughing matter though, is it? This old world is in sad shape! Many of us are at an all time high of stress and worry about what the future holds for us as a nation, as well as what it holds for each of us personally.
Yesterday marked the birthday of my precious deceased granddaughter. She lives in heaven with Jesus, and by our thinking, she would have been eight years old here on earth. Her life was short here. I try not to dwell on that, but rather, trust that the Lord knew best for her, and that she is alive and thriving in heaven. But what about me? you? What about those of us who remain here til the Lord returns or He calls us Home? What is our life about anyway?
Here's another thought that I like so much better than that crazy song: God is great, life is short, sin is serious, and wisdom is essential! So, may I ask you -- are you spending your life or investing it? What matters most to you? What do you want to be remembered for most? Do you have a sense of "life is short" and you want to make it count for something worthwhile? What do you want to be when you finally grow up or are you just fine with amusing yourself all the way to your death? Do you ever give thought to the fact that someday, we all must give an account to God for the lives we have lived? That thought alone makes me shudder, at times.
In our ever-changing world, wisdom is essential and being intentional to live the lives God calls us to live needs to be a priority. That would involve, first and foremost, making the Lord top of the list. Taking time with the Lord each day as our feet hit the ground, not running, but sitting at His feet for a time. Reading the Word, and praying needs to be first on our minds each day. We need to be thoughtful about our days, planning and scheduling those things that have eternal significance. Every day has 24 hours for each of us. Will we invest those hours in eternal things like relationships, spending time with our families, making our words count for the Lord? Psalms 90:12 says: (NLT) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Godly wisdom will hear revelation from the Word of God and then seek to apply it to daily life, moment by moment, day by day, making it work in real life, in relationships, and with those around us. I'm asking you, as I'm asking me…just how intentional are we being to live our lives for God's glory and the good of those around us? I must say that I so often fail, but we get knocked down, we get back up again. In the strength of the Lord, and not in our own strength, we get back up again, dust ourselves off, and look to Jesus again.
Living God's way means we must prioritize. We must live a life of intentionality. It means living with a holy purpose and a passion that can't be shut down. And it will often mean that we will need to swim upstream, against the tides. I recognize that this is hard! Let's just look at the other option. That should be enough to wake us up! When we choose to live God's way, we live wisely instead of crumbling to the dictates of the flesh and of the world around us. Is that difficult? Yes, for sure! But the rewards are so worth it? Will you look like an oddball in today's society? Yes, you will! But YOU must give an account to God for the life you lived here on earth. Do we really want the world to dictate to us where we spend eternity?
Psalms 62:1,2 tells us this: My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalms 145:15, 16 Says: The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
I'm so very thankful to the Lord for the life He has blessed me with, but, and it's a huge BUT…yes, sure, I'm human and have regrets. I regret the years wasted on living for me. What if, like my little granddaughter, I had only been given three short months on this earth? What if, like my father, I had been granted eighty years? God knew all about my sweet granddaughter. He knew all about my dad. He knows all about me, and about you, friend. Do you know your purpose for this life…yet? Are you living it out to the glory of your heavenly Father, who loved you enough to let His own Son take the weight of the world on His own shoulders?
Psalms 21:34 tells us this: But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to (the business of) this life, and lest that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or noose.(AMP)
Dear soul, this world truly IS spinning out of control. But, as children of our heavenly Father, we MUST choose to live with intentionality, with a holy purpose, and a passion that can't be snuffed out by an unbelieving world! The world WILL call us weirdo's, oddballs, fanatics, and Jesus freaks. Does it matter? Really? Will you be brave enough to take a stand for Jesus now, or will you face Him one day, sooner than you think, and be ashamed for how life slipped away from you, but you meant to….be remembered for living your life for the Lord? Will you stop wasting your precious time focused on the condition of the world today, and will you turn your gaze towards heaven, and be intentional about making a difference in the lives of those you love? If so, say "I will"…Psalms 37:5 tells us: Commit EVERYTHING you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.
I mentioned that yesterday was my little granddaughter's birthday. Today marks the first anniversary of another granddaughter's decision to live her life for Christ. Does it make a difference how we live our lives? You bet, it does! Be a godly influence in the lives of those you love, no matter what the cost. It is so worth it!
In my last time of sharing with you, I said that we would not focus now on our broken, bleeding hearts, but rather, we would begin to praise God so much more. Today, we begin…Lord, I praise You for the life You have blessed me with. You are my Father, My Strength, My Salvation, My Lord. I am so unworthy, yet You are so compassionate. You, Lord, are the God of second chances, a million of those. Help me, Jesus, to live with a holy purpose and with a passion for sharing Your love with those who don't know You. Thank You, Lord, that You entrust each of us with the ability to shut down the world around us and focus our hearts on You. You are great. Life is short. Help us make our lives count…for You. We love You, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.