There is an interesting phrase in in 1 Peter 4:2 that has captured my thinking of late: the rest of their earthly lives. How do I want to spend the rest of my days here on earth, however long that season of time may be? How are you going to spend the rest of your days?
C.S. Lewis has rigthly observed, we are far too easily pleased. We are easily distracted, easily drawn away from what is really important; we often settle for so much less than God's best for our lives. This can be a particular challenge as we move through our retirment years. John Piper writes: O God, don’t let me waste my final years! Don’t let me buy the American dream of retirement—month after month of leisure and play and hobbies and putzing around in the garage and rearranging the furniture and golfing and
fishing and…watching television. Lord, have mercy on me. Spare me this curse. (Rethinking Retirement)
When we do settle for the lessers things, we forfeit the opportunity to draw close to the One who is the source of life and joy and to particiapte in a divinely led adventure. Jeremaiah writes that such an approach to livng is like drinking water from mud-filled holes when we could be drinking from a clear, refreshing stream. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Jeremiah 2;13)
Our recent experience in Mexico has reinforced the reality that we have so much opportunity to do good, to make an investment, to make a difference with the the time that remains. Each of us must choose how we are going to live out our days.
For me, I want, in the remaining days of my life, to learn to live in, to rest more fully in the presence of God; to be faithful to His calling in my life -- to faithfully proclaim / live out the truth of God in my sphere of influence; and to be a blessing to those in my relational world, especially those closest to me.
To the extent we understand and experience what it is to live in the presence of God; to give ourselves to serving Him and finding we are increasingly satisfied with the things of God more than the things of this world; then and only then will be be prepared to finish well! He must be our treasure!
People who long for the their lives to count with the time that remains, take the same attitude as the Apostle Paul. I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the reace and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. (Acts 20:24) Take my life and use it any way You desire, but Lord, let it count for the time that remains, that I might finish well for Your honor and glory.
My friends at Valley, the clock is ticking, the sands are shifting; how are you going to spend the rest of your days?
C.S. Lewis has rigthly observed, we are far too easily pleased. We are easily distracted, easily drawn away from what is really important; we often settle for so much less than God's best for our lives. This can be a particular challenge as we move through our retirment years. John Piper writes: O God, don’t let me waste my final years! Don’t let me buy the American dream of retirement—month after month of leisure and play and hobbies and putzing around in the garage and rearranging the furniture and golfing and
fishing and…watching television. Lord, have mercy on me. Spare me this curse. (Rethinking Retirement)
When we do settle for the lessers things, we forfeit the opportunity to draw close to the One who is the source of life and joy and to particiapte in a divinely led adventure. Jeremaiah writes that such an approach to livng is like drinking water from mud-filled holes when we could be drinking from a clear, refreshing stream. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Jeremiah 2;13)
Our recent experience in Mexico has reinforced the reality that we have so much opportunity to do good, to make an investment, to make a difference with the the time that remains. Each of us must choose how we are going to live out our days.
For me, I want, in the remaining days of my life, to learn to live in, to rest more fully in the presence of God; to be faithful to His calling in my life -- to faithfully proclaim / live out the truth of God in my sphere of influence; and to be a blessing to those in my relational world, especially those closest to me.
To the extent we understand and experience what it is to live in the presence of God; to give ourselves to serving Him and finding we are increasingly satisfied with the things of God more than the things of this world; then and only then will be be prepared to finish well! He must be our treasure!
People who long for the their lives to count with the time that remains, take the same attitude as the Apostle Paul. I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the reace and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. (Acts 20:24) Take my life and use it any way You desire, but Lord, let it count for the time that remains, that I might finish well for Your honor and glory.
My friends at Valley, the clock is ticking, the sands are shifting; how are you going to spend the rest of your days?
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