Readings for today: 2 Peter 1-3, Jude
All of us want to know where life is headed. Is it headed for glory or for ruin? Will my life make a difference or will my life be wasted? Is my life worth anything in the grand scheme of things or is my life vain and worthless? Will I be remembered or will I simply be another name on a headstone somewhere? Will I leave a legacy or will my accomplishments turn to dust after I’m gone? Just about everyone I know has asked these questions at some point in time in their lives. I have sat at the bedside of countless people as they transitioned from this life into the next and these are the kinds of things they want to know. They aren’t interested in the size of their 401k. They don’t look back with longing at their careers. They don’t ask for more stuff. They want to know if their life counted.
The Apostle Peter clearly shows us how to live a life that counts for something. He gives us the roadmap for a life well lived. Listen to what he says again, “Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.” (2 Peter 1:5-9 MSG) Peter understands the gift we’ve been given in Jesus Christ. He sees the invitation God has extended to us to live a life pleasing to Him. He knows that if we will be diligent and intentional about building our lives on the rock that is Christ, not a minute will be wasted. Not a second will be lost. Each and every day will bring with it an eternal reward. People often wonder why people like Peter or Paul or the many other women and men throughout history who were martyred for their faith could face death with such confidence. It’s because they were building for eternity. They understood their life’s horizon existed beyond the boundaries of this world. They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that ever moment they spent developing their godly character and spiritual understanding was preparing them for the indestructible life to come.
What about you? Do you live with such assurance? Do you know your life is counting for something? Do you have confidence that when you appear before the throne of judgment that you will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” If not, I plead with you to follow Peter’s prescription above. Cast aside your sinful ways and turn to Christ with all your heart. Surrender to Him. Offer your life back to Him. Give Him all that you are and all that you have and trust Him to do even greater things for you than you can possibly ask or imagine!
Readings for tomorrow: None