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It is important that we become introspective over our life so that we can reevaluate how we are spending our time and if we are doing the things that add real value to our life. Many times we get caught up in the rat race of life running from one meeting to another, one appointment to another, one place to another without really enjoying the journey that we are on because we are so consumed with arriving at the destination. We should never live life like that because we never know when this gift that we have been given will come to an end. Instead we should invest our time with those who mean the world to us so that we can create memories that will last both of our lifetimes. When all is said and done concerning our life it will not matter how much money we have in our bank accounts or how many degrees we have hanging on our walls, but what will matter is what kind of impact did we make on our fellow man? Will we be remembered and thought upon with fondness? Will others be glad that we were a part of their life? Will our life’s legacy live on in the hearts and minds of those whom we were fortunate enough to cross paths with? Answering these questions will help us to see if we are doing the right things, walking on the right path, and most importantly are we fulfilling our life’s destiny by being all that we were created to be? (Romans 15:1-4) (Galatians 6:2-4)
It is good to ask ourselves these questions from time to time so that we can see if we are using our life effectively. When we realize we are living selfishly and not doing anything to help better our fellow man, we can change our course and do as the Bible says and prefer others even over ourselves. The Bible declares in Romans 12:9-10 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” When we treat others as we would want to be treated and do for others as we would want done unto us I believe we are fulfilling God’s mandate to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and to care for them as God cares for us. We read this truth in 1 John 4:10-12 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.” (Luke 6:31) (Matthew 22:37-39)
I encourage you to think about your life’s legacy and see if you need to improve upon certain areas. By doing what we know in our hearts is the right thing we will be proud at the end of our life that we used our life for good, for blessings, for edification, for encouragement, for affirmation and for inspiration. A life lived in service will always be a life well lived and when we reach our final destination to meet the Lord we will be proud that our simple life was used in such significant and magnificent ways while giving God all of the Glory, Honor and Praise. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to make your life useful for the betterment of those around you.
WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND
It suddenly came back to me. I hadn't thought about him recently, but there he was.
Memories are triggered sometimes by subtle changes in your life. We get stuck in routines and patterns that keep us going, but often times get us nowhere. Like walking in a circle.
I heard someone say the words “the circle of life” and there he was again. I might have missed this life-changing moment had it not been for the accident I came upon that day. That would also mean that I never would have met Jack.
It was on a back road near where I live. As I came around the corner, I saw the lights of emergency vehicles ahead. Off to one side was an over turned car partially blocking one lane of the narrow country road. I knew there would be no getting around this, nor turning back. Several more police cars came in behind me now blocking my retreat.
I felt uneasy just sitting there listening to my radio, so I got out of the car and walked toward the accident.
I stood with a small crowd, a collection of other drivers and neighbors who were drawn to the scene.
“I can't figure how this happened,” one person said. “It's daylight. I would figure at night he would have simply missed the curve.”
I was about to ask if the driver was injured, when suddenly a stretcher appeared from the other side. A blanket completely covered a body indicating there was nothing more that could be done.
“I hope he had his life in order,” one person said.
“Do we ever?” another replied. “I wonder what he leaves behind?”
There was silence as we all seemed to think about what we would leave behind had that been our fate.
That's when Jack spoke up.
“If all you've ever accomplished in life was a collection of things, then you really leave nothing at all,” he said.
One woman began a brief discussion about how important she thought “things” were in life adding, “I hope to leave my valuables for my children to remember me by,” She then walked back to her car.
Jack shook his head in disagreement.
I knew there was a greater reason for me to be here. I now attribute this moment to a major change in my own life. It was all based on what Jack said next.
“What we take and what we leave all depends on what we give.”
As the group began to disperse I stayed back for a few minutes to speak with Jack. I knew he had a lot to offer and I was now convinced this was no chance meeting.
We spoke for awhile and watched until the car was up righted and towed away
“It was a pleasure meeting you, my friend, I do wish it was under different circumstances,” I said.
“It couldn't have been. It was meant to be,” he said.
“Do you live nearby?” I asked.
His response struck me as odd.
“Close enough that we will meet again,” he said. He then began to walk away disappearing around the corner further down the road.
We never did meet again, but every once in awhile I think of him.
It was because of him that I began to see life as a family style meal. You know, when plates and bowls are passed around the table usually with enough for everyone in attendance. Guests usually bring something of their own to add to the meal.
Life is like that. When you participate each day you bring something to the table. When a bowl is passed to you, never empty it, so that others after you can share in the bounty.
While some take all they can without concern for others, I have learned that, in the long run, by leaving some behind I end up with more than I can consume.
“What we take and what we leave all depends on what we give.”
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Luke 6:35-36 Jesus declares “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
Romans 15:1-4 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem84.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: HE WANTED ME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony88.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
