Thursday saw the death of two American cultural icons – Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Earlier this week, former tonight show co-host and TV pitchman Ed McMahon passed away. Their deaths have garnered and will continue to garner the attention of the American public for the next several days.
In contrast, on Thursday, we honored the passing of a dear church member, Joan Lawhorn. Joan was a precious soul who dearly loved the Atlanta Braves, but also loved her family, her church, and more importantly Jesus Christ with an even greater love. Her passing did not make world or even national headlines, but her life was an even greater example than those who passed yesterday.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12
Psalm 90 is rare because its author was Moses, not David or one of the other more prolific psalmsters. Moses challenges us to look back at the days of our lives and learn something, gain some wisdom from our experience.
God has established our lives to allow us room to make our own choices about many things. We must choose each day who and what will be important to us. We choose each day to build our kingdom, someone else's kingdom, or God's kingdom.
Ed McMahon helped build Johnny Carson's kingdom, Farrah Fawcett was Charlie's Angel, and among other strange things, Michael Jackson was the so-called "king of pop." Each made an individual mark on their culture. Their footprint is wide – many people knew who they were and looked up to them, but their footprint is shallow – making little impact, if any, in things that matter in eternity. All they accomplished and collected they now leave behind.
By contrast, Joan's footprint was much more narrow, but infinitely deeper. She may not have touched the masses that Ed, Farrah, and MJ did, but the ones she did touch, she influenced in ways that will last for eternity. Joan learned an important lesson that we find in Scripture.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10
So, I encourage you to take some time today to reflect on your life. Count your days. By the way, as of today I am at 16,270. How are you investing the days God gives you? Do you seek to grow closer to HIM each day? Are you investing your life in HIS kingdom and things that will last through eternity, or is it all about the here and now for you? When it comes your time to go, will you be leaving more behind than you have sent on ahead?
What really matters in life is a relationship with God, growing in our knowledge and experience with Him, and building HIS kingdom, seeking to do HIS will, and making a name for HIM rather than for ourselves.
2 comments:
How special this blog is. For Ms. Joan and those whose lives she touched with the hand of God.
I've sent many graduation cards in the last two years. I remember the graduation of high school mile stone. I have created a letter that I send instead of a card and in the last paragraph the graduate gets the same message. " ...it isn't about the things you do and see as much as it is the lives you touch and those who touch your life along the way."
Your blog really brings the message home.
Bro. Jim, Great message Sunday and a great tribute to a dear one passed on. She will be missed and our loss is heaven's gain.
Keep up the good work and continue to preach the Bible-we need it,
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