Girlfriends in God - Mar. 21, 2008

                                           

 

March 21, 2008

The Brevity of Life

Nancy McGuirk

 

From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry.  We call them our "Friday Friends."  So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Nancy McGuirk, as she shares an excerpt from her book, “Rest Assured, devotions for souls in a restless world”.

 

Today’s Truth

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14 NIV)

 

Friend to Friend

Leafing through family photo albums reminds us of at least one thing: how fast the years go by. We see the pictures of our own childhood when we were toddlers holding our mother’s hand. Then we see our own children as toddlers holding our hand - followed pictures of our children as young adults with their own toddlers . . . in just a few moments we see the sweep of several generations.

 

Our journey moves so quickly. We only pass through this life once, and how we use it is totally up to us. C. T. Studd, a famous missionary, wrote this refrain while a student at Cambridge University: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” Life is a glorious opportunity to prepare for eternity. If we miss that opportunity, but succeed in everything else, our life will have been a failure. (“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” Matthew16:26).

 

You will never live this day again. Are you living it for Christ or for yourself? He wants you to share the gospel with others - today. He wants you to look for ways to help the less fortunate - today. He wants you to share His love with others - today. When God sees a willing heart, the doors of opportunity are endless.

 

God wants us to make the most of each day (Matthew 6:34), yet He has also ordained a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Someone once said that we must work as if everything depends on us and trust as if everything depends on God. Therein lies the secret of using our time wisely: Resting in God while working for God. See interruptions as opportunities, for all that comes your way has been filtered through the Father’s loving hands.

 

Christ does not want us to live as if this life will continue forever, for it won’t. Instead, live life with eternity in view and make everything you do count for the kingdom. And when the pages of your life are turned and it’s time to leave this earthly place, may your children remember you as holding the hand of the One who welcomes you home.

 

Let’s pray

Heavenly Father, Help me remember to live each day as if it were my last. Let me make every moment count for You and Your kingdom. Hold my hand tightly so I don’t go astray. Amen.

 

Now it’s Your Turn

If you were asked to divide your life into three or four stages or periods, what one-word title would you give to each stage? How do you feel about where you are in life right now?

 

Since hindsight is always “perfect,” what are the most important spiritual lessons you’ve learned? What mistakes do you want to avoid? How are your priorities changing?

 

How would you define “living for eternity?” How do you make fixing breakfast for your family an eternal act? Why is it okay with God to “do nothing” occasionally?

 

 

Seeking God? 

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Girlfriends in God

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Matthews, NC 28106

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Originally published Friday, 21 March 2008.

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