There are very few public speakers that impress me. I've said "Wow, I want to communicate the way he does" very rarely. Maybe I've said that only three times in my lifetime. What stands out to me is how easy great speakers are to follow. Their word choices are selective, they often speak without notes, and they relate extremely well with their audiences.
I'm 71, and if there's one goal in life im still pursuing, it's excellence. "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." When I think about how far I still need to go, I'm disturbed. At my age you'd think I'd have all that down pat, but I don't. The more I get to know myself, the more I discover how much there is to learn. Have I used my gifts to their fullest? Have I done my best as a husband, father, churchman, missionary, teacher, friend? Sooner or later, I will pass from this life, and all of my opportunities to contribute to God's kingdom will be gone forever. If I'm going to use my blessings for eternal causes, I'm going to have to start now. It can't be done afterwards.
When Becky passed away 10 years ago this Thursday, she wanted to make sure that her remaining days were spent wisely. She never stopped wanting to make a positive impact on others. As a result, I can say with 100 percent certainty that to her last breath she modeled a Christ-like life. Her life was centered in the eternal.
How brief and fragile life is. Lord, please help me to number my days, that I may have a heart of wisdom.
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| Today's memory verse. The Message renders it as: "Make the most out of every chance you get. These are desperate times!" |